Fatih Ozaltin

Positional cloning uncovers mutations in PLCE1 responsible for a nephrotic syndrome variant that may be reversible

Nephrotic syndrome, a malfunction of the kidney glomerular filter, leads to proteinuria, edema and, in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, end-stage kidney disease. Using positional cloning, we identified mutations in the phospholipase C epsilon gene (PLCE1) as causing early-onset nephrotic syndrome with end-stage kidney disease. Kidney histology of affected individuals showed diffuse mesangial sclerosis (DMS). Using immunofluorescence, we found PLCε1 expression in developing and mature glomerular podocytes and showed that DMS represents an arrest of normal glomerular development. We identified IQ motif–containing GTPase-activating protein 1 as a new interaction partner of PLCε1. Two siblings with a missense mutation in an exon encoding the PLCε1 catalytic domain showed histology characteristic of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Notably, two other affected individuals responded to therapy, making this the first report of a molecular cause of nephrotic syndrome that may resolve after therapy. These findings, together with the zebrafish model of human nephrotic syndrome generated by plce1 knockdown, open new inroads into pathophysiology and treatment mechanisms of nephrotic syndrome.

Nephrotic Syndrome in the First Year of Life: Two Thirds of Cases Are Caused by Mutations in 4 Genes (NPHS1, NPHS2, WT1, and LAMB2)

OBJECTIVES. Mutations in each of the NPHS1, NPHS2, WT1, and LAMB2 genes have been implicated in nephrotic syndrome, manifesting in the first year of life. The relative frequency of causative mutations in these genes in children with nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year of life is unknown. Therefore, we analyzed all 4 of the genes jointly in a large European cohort of 89 children from 80 families with nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year of life and characterized genotype/phenotype correlations. METHODS. We performed direct exon sequencing of NPHS1, NPHS2, and the relevant exons 8 and 9 of WT1, whereas the LAMB2 gene was screened by enzymatic mismatches cleavage. RESULTS. We detected disease-causing mutations in 66.3% (53 of 80) families (NPHS1, NPHS2, WT1, and LAMB2: 22.5%, 37.5%, 3.8%, and 2.5%, respectively). As many as 84.8% of families with congenital onset (0–3 months) and 44.1% with infantile onset (4–12 months) of nephrotic syndrome were explained by mutations. NPHS2 mutations were the most frequent cause of nephrotic syndrome among both families with congenital nephrotic syndrome (39.1%) and infantile nephrotic syndrome (35.3%), whereas NPHS1 mutations were solely found in patients with congenital onset. Of 45 children in whom steroid treatment was attempted, only 1 patient achieved a lasting response. Of these 45 treated children, 28 had causative mutations, and none of the 28 responded to treatment. CONCLUSIONS. First, two thirds of nephrotic syndrome manifesting in the first year of life can be explained by mutations in 4 genes only (NPHS1, NPHS2, WT1, or LAMB2). Second, NPHS1 mutations occur in congenital nephrotic syndrome only. Third, infants with causative mutations in any of the 4 genes do not respond to steroid treatment; therefore, unnecessary treatment attempts can be avoided. Fourth, there are most likely additional unknown genes mutated in early-onset nephrotic syndrome.

COQ6 mutations in human patients produce nephrotic syndrome with sensorineural deafness

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a frequent cause of end-stage renal failure. Identification of single-gene causes of SRNS has generated some insights into its pathogenesis; however, additional genes and disease mechanisms remain obscure, and SRNS continues to be treatment refractory. Here we have identified 6 different mutations in coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis monooxygenase 6 (COQ6) in 13 individuals from 7 families by homozygosity mapping. Each mutation was linked to early-onset SRNS with sensorineural deafness. The deleterious effects of these human COQ6 mutations were validated by their lack of complementation in coq6-deficient yeast. Furthermore, knockdown of Coq6 in podocyte cell lines and coq6 in zebrafish embryos caused apoptosis that was partially reversed by coenzyme Q10 treatment. In rats, COQ6 was located within cell processes and the Golgi apparatus of renal glomerular podocytes and in stria vascularis cells of the inner ear, consistent with an oto-renal disease phenotype. These data suggest that coenzyme Q10-related forms of SRNS and hearing loss can be molecularly identified and potentially treated.

MYO1E Mutations and Childhood Familial Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

BACKGROUND Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is a kidney disease that is manifested as the nephrotic syndrome. It is often resistant to glucocorticoid therapy and progresses to end-stage renal disease in 50 to 70% of patients. Genetic studies have shown that familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is a disease of the podocytes, which are major components of the glomerular filtration barrier. However, the molecular cause in over half the cases of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is unknown, and effective treatments have been elusive. METHODS We performed whole-genome linkage analysis followed by high-throughput sequencing of the positive-linkage area in a family with autosomal recessive focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (index family) and sequenced a newly discovered gene in 52 unrelated patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on human kidney-biopsy specimens and cultured podocytes. Expression studies in vitro were performed to characterize the functional consequences of the mutations identified. RESULTS We identified two mutations (A159P and Y695X) in MYO1E, which encodes a nonmuscle class I myosin, myosin 1E (Myo1E). The mutations in MYO1E segregated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in two independent pedigrees (the index family and Family 2). Patients were homozygous for the mutations and did not have a response to glucocorticoid therapy. Electron microscopy showed thickening and disorganization of the glomerular basement membrane. Normal expression of Myo1E was documented in control human kidney-biopsy specimens in vivo and in glomerular podocytes in vitro. Transfection studies revealed abnormal subcellular localization and function of the A159P-Myo1E mutant. The Y695X mutation causes loss of calmodulin binding and of the tail domains of Myo1E. CONCLUSIONS MYO1E mutations are associated with childhood-onset, glucocorticoid-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Our data provide evidence of a role of Myo1E in podocyte function and the consequent integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier.

Circulating suPAR in Two Cohorts of Primary FSGS

Overexpression of soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR) causes pathology in animal models similar to primary FSGS, and one recent study demonstrated elevated levels of serum suPAR in patients with the disease. Here, we analyzed circulating suPAR levels in two cohorts of children and adults with biopsy-proven primary FSGS: 70 patients from the North America-based FSGS clinical trial (CT) and 94 patients from PodoNet, the Europe-based consortium studying steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Circulating suPAR levels were elevated in 84.3% and 55.3% of patients with FSGS patients in the CT and PodoNet cohorts, respectively, compared with 6% of controls (P<0.0001); inflammation did not account for this difference. Multiple regression analysis suggested that lower suPAR levels associated with higher estimated GFR, male sex, and treatment with mycophenolate mofetil. In the CT cohort, there was a positive association between the relative reduction of suPAR after 26 weeks of treatment and reduction of proteinuria, with higher odds for complete remission (P=0.04). In the PodoNet cohort, patients with an NPHS2 mutation had higher suPAR levels than those without a mutation. In conclusion, suPAR levels are elevated in geographically and ethnically diverse patients with FSGS and do not reflect a nonspecific proinflammatory milieu. The associations between a change in circulating suPAR with different therapeutic regimens and with remission support the role of suPAR in the pathogenesis of FSGS.

Specific Podocin Mutations Correlate with Age of Onset in Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome

Mutations in the gene encoding podocin (NPHS2) cause autosomal recessive steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). For addressing the possibility of a genotype-phenotype correlation between podocin mutations and age of onset, a worldwide cohort of 430 patients from 404 different families with SRNS were screened by direct sequencing. Recessive podocin mutations were present in 18.1% (73 of 404) of families with SRNS, and 69.9% of these mutations were nonsense, frameshift, or homozygous R138Q. Patients with these mutations manifested symptoms at a significantly earlier age (mean onset <1.75 years) than any other patient group, with or without podocin mutations, in this study (mean onset >4.17 yr). All but one patient affected by truncating or homozygous R138Q mutations developed SRNS before 6 yr of age. Patient groups with other recessive podocin mutations, with single heterozygous podocin mutations, with sequence variants, and with no podocin changes could not be distinguished from each other on the basis of age of onset. In conclusion, nephrotic syndrome in children with truncating or homozygous R138Q mutations manifests predominantly before 6 yr of life, and the onset of disease is significantly earlier than for any other podocin mutations. Because the age of onset can vary by several years among those with identical mutations, additional factors may modify the phenotype.

E148Q is a disease-causing MEFV mutation: a phenotypic evaluation in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is one of the periodic fever syndromes. It is common among Turks, Jews, Arabs, and Armenians. Several mutations in the MEFV gene, including E148Q, have been identified as causing this disease. It has been suggested that the E148Q mutation is the mildest mutation and some reports have questioned its disease association. Objective: To evaluate the phenotypic features of the patients with E148Q mutation. Subjects: 26 patients homozygous for E148Q, 10 compound heterozygous for E148Q, and eight complex cases were assessed. Results: Although four of the 26 patients with E148Q/E148Q were asymptomatic at the time of evaluation, abdominal pain was seen in 77% of the patients, fever in 66%, arthralgia in 50%, arthritis in 15.4%, and vomiting in 23.8%. Compound heterozygotes and complex cases had a higher frequency of abdominal pain, fever, arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia, and chest pain than subjects who were homozygous for E148Q, but none of these symptoms reached statistical significance. None of our patients had amyloidosis but two with E148Q/E148Q had a family history of amyloidosis and one had rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis secondary to vasculitis, which progressed to chronic renal failure. Conclusions: Patients homozygous for E148Q have a heterogeneous clinical presentation. Most are symptomatic and colchicine treatment is required in these patients.

Spectrum of Steroid-Resistant and Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome in Children: The PodoNet Registry Cohort

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome is a rare kidney disease involving either immune-mediated or genetic alterations of podocyte structure and function. The rare nature, heterogeneity, and slow evolution of the disorder are major obstacles to systematic genotype-phenotype, intervention, and outcome studies, hampering the development of evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic concepts. To overcome these limitations, the PodoNet Consortium has created an international registry for congenital nephrotic syndrome and childhood-onset steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Since August of 2009, clinical, biochemical, genetic, and histopathologic information was collected both retrospectively and prospectively from 1655 patients with childhood-onset steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, congenital nephrotic syndrome, or persistent subnephrotic proteinuria of likely genetic origin at 67 centers in 21 countries through an online portal. RESULTS Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome manifested in the first 5 years of life in 64% of the patients. Congenital nephrotic syndrome accounted for 6% of all patients. Extrarenal abnormalities were reported in 17% of patients. The most common histopathologic diagnoses were FSGS (56%), minimal change nephropathy (21%), and mesangioproliferative GN (12%). Mutation screening was performed in 1174 patients, and a genetic disease cause was identified in 23.6% of the screened patients. Among 14 genes with reported mutations, abnormalities in NPHS2 (n=138), WT1 (n=48), and NPHS1 (n=41) were most commonly identified. The proportion of patients with a genetic disease cause decreased with increasing manifestation age: from 66% in congenital nephrotic syndrome to 15%-16% in schoolchildren and adolescents. Among various intensified immunosuppressive therapy protocols, calcineurin inhibitors and rituximab yielded consistently high response rates, with 40%-45% of patients achieving complete remission. Confirmation of a genetic diagnosis but not the histopathologic disease type was strongly predictive of intensified immunosuppressive therapy responsiveness. Post-transplant disease recurrence was noted in 25.8% of patients without compared with 4.5% (n=4) of patients with a genetic diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS The PodoNet cohort may serve as a source of reference for future clinical and genetic research in this rare but significant kidney disease.

DGKE Variants Cause a Glomerular Microangiopathy That Mimics Membranoproliferative GN

Renal microangiopathies and membranoproliferative GN (MPGN) can manifest similar clinical presentations and histology, suggesting the possibility of a common underlying mechanism in some cases. Here, we performed homozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing in a Turkish consanguineous family and identified DGKE gene variants as the cause of a membranoproliferative-like glomerular microangiopathy. Furthermore, we identified two additional DGKE variants in a cohort of 142 unrelated patients diagnosed with membranoproliferative GN. This gene encodes the diacylglycerol kinase DGKε, which is an intracellular lipid kinase that phosphorylates diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy demonstrated that mouse and rat Dgkε colocalizes with the podocyte marker WT1 but not with the endothelial marker CD31. Patch-clamp experiments in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells showed that DGKε variants affect the intracellular concentration of diacylglycerol. Taken together, these results not only identify a genetic cause of a glomerular microangiopathy but also suggest that the phosphatidylinositol cycle, which requires DGKE, is critical to the normal function of podocytes.

Disruption of PTPRO Causes Childhood-Onset Nephrotic Syndrome

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema. Because it typically results in end-stage kidney disease, the steroid-resistant subtype (SRNS) of INS is especially important when it occurs in children. The present study included 29 affected and 22 normal individuals from 17 SRNS families; genome-wide analysis was performed with Affymetrix 250K SNP arrays followed by homozygosity mapping. A large homozygous stretch on chromosomal region 12p12 was identified in one consanguineous family with two affected siblings. Direct sequencing of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO; also known as glomerular epithelial protein-1 [GLEPP1]) showed homozygous c.2627+1G>T donor splice-site mutation. This mutation causes skipping of the evolutionarily conserved exon 16 (p.Glu854_Trp876del) at the RNA level. Immunohistochemistry with GLEPP1 antibody showed a similar staining pattern in the podocytes of the diseased and control kidney tissues. We used a highly polymorphic intragenic DNA marker-D12S1303-to search for homozygosity in 120 Turkish and 13 non-Turkish individuals in the PodoNet registry. This analysis yielded 17 candidate families, and a distinct homozygous c.2745+1G>A donor splice-site mutation in PTPRO was further identified via DNA sequencing in a second Turkish family. This mutation causes skipping of exon 19, and this introduces a premature stop codon at the very beginning of exon 20 (p.Asn888Lysfs*3) and causes degradation of mRNA via nonsense-mediated decay. Immunohistochemical analysis showed complete absence of immunoreactive PTPRO. Ultrastructural alterations, such as diffuse foot process fusion and extensive microvillus transformation of podocytes, were observed via electron microscopy in both families. The present study introduces mutations in PTPRO as another cause of autosomal-recessive nephrotic syndrome.