Mesangial cells play an important role in maintaining a structure and function of the
glomerulus and in the pathogenesis of glomerular diseases. Recently, we discovered a new
mesangium-predominant gene termed “megsin.” Megsin is a novel protein that belongs to
the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily. To elucidate the pathophysiologic role of
megsin in the kidney, the expression and localization of megsin mRNA in renal tissues of
patients with IgA nephropathy (IgA-N), diabetic nephropathy (DN), minimal change nephrotic …