Triggered by a person's abnormal immune system or an infection, nephritis occurs when the kidney's filters become inflamed, scarred and destroyed.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Coleman also had nephritis, a potentially fatal kidney condition, and underwent several operations and a kidney transplant by the age of 5.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

He was denigrated because of his short stature -- he never grew taller than 4 feet 8 inches because of nephritis, a kidney condition.

CNN: 'Diff'rent Strokes' actor Gary Coleman dies at 42

It is also approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and, is being studied in a Phase III trial in a different set of patients who have lupus nephritis.

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