Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in identifying and/or treating mammals having membranous nephropathy (e.g., membranous nephropathy with an elevated level of a Semaphorin 3B polypeptide in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM)). For example, methods and materials for administering one or more immunosuppressive agents (e.g., corticosteroids, cyclosporine, or a B-cell reduction or depletion agent such as Rituximab) to treat a mammal (e.g., a human) having membranous nephropathy are provided.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in identifying and/or treating mammals having membranous nephropathy (e.g., membranous nephropathy with an elevated level of a PCDH7 polypeptide in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM)). For example, methods and materials for administering one or more immunosuppressive agents (e.g., corticosteroids, cyclosporine, or a B-cell reduction or depletion agent such as Rituximab) to treat a mammal (e.g., a human) having membranous nephropathy are provided.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in identifying and/or treating mammals having membranous nephropathy (e.g., membranous nephropathy with an elevated level of a neural epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like 1 (NELL-1) polypeptide in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM)). For example, methods and materials for administering one or more immunosuppressive agents (e.g., corticosteroids, cyclosporine, or a B-cell reduction or depletion agent such as Rituximab) to treat a mammal (e.g., a human) having membranous nephropathy are provided.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in identifying and treating mammals (e.g., humans) having membranous nephropathy. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence of autoantibodies specific for an EXT1 and/or EXT2 polypeptide as well as methods and materials for detecting the presence of kidney tissue having an elevated level of an EXT1 and/or EXT2 polypeptide are provided. In addition, methods and materials for treating membranous nephropathy by administering an immunosuppressant are provided.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides corresponding to .alpha.-subunit of human glycoprotein hormone amino acid regions .alpha.31-45, .alpha.21-35, .alpha.26-46 and .alpha.81-92; were found to inhibit binding of 125.sub.I-bTSH to human thyroid. Peptides corresponding to regions .alpha.26-46 and .alpha.31-45 were also found to potently inhibit the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by bTSH in a TSH bioassay using FRTL-5 cells and block the action of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin.