Goodpasture's Syndrome - Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology

As with many autoimmune conditions, the precise cause of Goodpasture’s Syndrome is not yet known. It is believed to be a type II hypersensitivity-like autoimmune reaction to Goodpasture’s antigens on the basement membrane of the glomerulus of the kidneys and the pulmonary alveolus, specifically the non-collagenous domain of the alpha-3 chain of Type IV collagen. The immune system wrongly recognizes these motifs as foreign and produces antibodies (IgG) toward them, eliciting an immune response. On an immunology stain Goodpasture's Syndrome usually presents with a linear staining pattern.

Renal failure is ultimately due to damage caused to the Glomerular Basement Membrane by immune system cells attacking in response to these antibodies. As the basement membrane is damaged, the ability of the kidneys to excrete waste and reabsorb nutrients is compromised.