Membranous nephropathy is also called membranous glomerulonephritis. The pathological characteristics are glomerular capillary basement membrane thickening with subepithelial immune deposits.
MN is featured by repeated outbreak and prolonged course. Membranous nephropathy is one of the most common pathological types of adult nephrotic syndrome.

Up to now, the pathogenesis of membranous nephropathy has not been completely understood yet. It is mostly considered to be caused by autoimmune-mediated subepethelial immune complex depositing, activated complement forming attack complex, and ultimately injuring sertoli cells.

Membranous nephropathy is mainly manifested as nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria, hypoteinemia, edema, hyperlipidemia) or asymptomatic severe proteinuria.

The determination of therapeutic measures should depend on the level of disease hazard.
Guidelines: For patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and proteinuria, supportive care can be adopted, including depressurization and proteinuria reducing; for patients at the risk of worsening renal function and similar progression or with nephrotic syndrome complication, immunosuppressant therapy should be considered.