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Zacchia M, Capolongo G, Del Vecchio Blanco F, Secondulfo F, Gupta N, Blasio G, Pollastro RM, Cervesato A, Piluso G, Gigliotti G, Torella A, Nigro V, Perna AF, Capasso G, Trepiccione F. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Analysis Illustrates the Phenotypic Variability of Collagen Type IV Nephropathies. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030764. [PMID: 36981034 PMCID: PMC10048128 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in COL4A3-A5 cause a spectrum of glomerular disorders, including thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) and Alport syndrome (AS). The wide application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in the last few years has revealed that mutations in these genes are not limited to these clinical entities. In this study, 176 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of inherited kidney disorders underwent an NGS-based analysis to address the underlying cause; those who changed or perfected the clinical diagnosis after molecular analysis were selected. In 5 out of 83 individuals reaching a molecular diagnosis, the genetic result was unexpected: three individuals showed mutations in collagen type IV genes. These patients showed the following clinical pictures: (1) familial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; (2) end-stage renal disease (ESRD) diagnosed incidentally in a 49-year-old man, with diffuse cortical calcifications on renal imaging; and (3) dysmorphic and asymmetric kidneys with multiple cysts and signs of tubule-interstitial defects. Genetic analysis revealed rare heterozygote/compound heterozygote COL4A4-A5 variants. Our study highlights the key role of NGS in the diagnosis of inherited renal disorders and shows the phenotype variability in patients carrying mutations in collagen type IV genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Zacchia
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Giovanna Capolongo
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Floriana Secondulfo
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Neha Gupta
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Biogem, Scarl, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Blasio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Pollastro
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Cervesato
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Giulio Piluso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigliotti
- UOC Nefrologia e Dialisi, Ospedale Civile di Eboli "MM.SS. Addolorata", 84025 Eboli, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Alessandra F Perna
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Trepiccione
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Biogem, Scarl, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
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Martínez-Pulleiro R, García-Murias M, Fidalgo-Díaz M, García-González MÁ. Molecular Basis, Diagnostic Challenges and Therapeutic Approaches of Alport Syndrome: A Primer for Clinicians. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011063. [PMID: 34681722 PMCID: PMC8541626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alport syndrome is a genetic and hereditary disease, caused by mutations in the type IV collagen genes COL4A3, COL4A4 and COL4A5, that affects the glomerular basement membrane of the kidney. It is a rare disease with an underestimated prevalence. Genetic analysis of population cohorts has revealed that it is the second most common inherited kidney disease after polycystic kidney disease. Renal involvement is the main manifestation, although it may have associated extrarenal manifestations such as hearing loss or ocular problems. The degree of expression of the disease changes according to the gene affected and other factors, known or yet to be known. The pathophysiology is not yet fully understood, although some receptors, pathways or molecules are known to be linked to the disease. There is also no specific treatment for Alport syndrome; the most commonly used are renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors. In recent years, diagnosis has come a long way, thanks to advances in DNA sequencing technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS). Further research at the genetic and molecular levels in the future will complete the partial vision of the pathophysiological mechanism that we have, and will allow us to better understand what is happening and how to solve it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Martínez-Pulleiro
- Grupo de Xenética e Bioloxía do Desenvolvemento das Enfermidades Renais, Laboratorio de Nefroloxía (No. 11), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (R.M.-P.); (M.G.-M.)
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica (GMX), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María García-Murias
- Grupo de Xenética e Bioloxía do Desenvolvemento das Enfermidades Renais, Laboratorio de Nefroloxía (No. 11), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (R.M.-P.); (M.G.-M.)
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica (GMX), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Fidalgo-Díaz
- Departamento de Nefrología, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago (CHUS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Miguel Ángel García-González
- Grupo de Xenética e Bioloxía do Desenvolvemento das Enfermidades Renais, Laboratorio de Nefroloxía (No. 11), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (R.M.-P.); (M.G.-M.)
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica (GMX), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica-SERGAS, Complexo Hospitalario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-981-555-197
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Buonaiuto G, Desideri F, Taliani V, Ballarino M. Muscle Regeneration and RNA: New Perspectives for Ancient Molecules. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102512. [PMID: 34685492 PMCID: PMC8533951 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) to self-replicate, combined with a unique cocktail of chemical properties, suggested the existence of an RNA world at the origin of life. Nowadays, this hypothesis is supported by innovative high-throughput and biochemical approaches, which definitively revealed the essential contribution of RNA-mediated mechanisms to the regulation of fundamental processes of life. With the recent development of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccines, the potential of RNA as a therapeutic tool has received public attention. Due to its intrinsic single-stranded nature and the ease with which it is synthesized in vitro, RNA indeed represents the most suitable tool for the development of drugs encompassing every type of human pathology. The maximum effectiveness and biochemical versatility is achieved in the guise of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which are emerging as multifaceted regulators of tissue specification and homeostasis. Here, we report examples of coding and ncRNAs involved in muscle regeneration and discuss their potential as therapeutic tools. Small ncRNAs, such as miRNA and siRNA, have been successfully applied in the treatment of several diseases. The use of longer molecules, such as lncRNA and circRNA, is less advanced. However, based on the peculiar properties discussed below, they represent an innovative pool of RNA biomarkers and possible targets of clinical value.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- COVID-19
- Homeostasis
- Humans
- Mice
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/virology
- Myocardium/metabolism
- Origin of Life
- RNA, Circular
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics
- RNA, Untranslated/genetics
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- Regeneration
- SARS-CoV-2/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Buonaiuto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.B.); (F.D.); (V.T.)
| | - Fabio Desideri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.B.); (F.D.); (V.T.)
- Center for Life Nano & Neuro-Science of Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Taliani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.B.); (F.D.); (V.T.)
| | - Monica Ballarino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.B.); (F.D.); (V.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with Alport syndrome: can all patients benefit? Kidney Int 2020; 98:1400-1402. [PMID: 33276866 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are prescribed to slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with Alport syndrome. In a recent publication by Yamamura et al. the authors showed an association of ACEi or ARB treatment with delay in ESKD, even for those patients with severe, truncating mutations. Despite these encouraging findings, there remain a number of clinical questions about the use of ACEi and ARBs in Alport syndrome.
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Kashtan CE. An update on current and potential genetic insights and diagnosis of Alport syndrome. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2020.1784722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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