DNA J homolog subfamily B member 9 and other advances in fibrillary glomerulonephritis

DNAJB9 Is a Reliable Immunohistochemical Marker of Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis: Evaluation of Diagnostic Efficacy in a Large Series of Kidney Biopsies

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is a rare glomerular disease characterized by a challenging diagnostic workup requiring ultrastructural identification of 20 nm-thick randomly oriented fibrillar deposits. However, the recent introduction of DNAJB9 as a putative diagnostic marker of FGN could thoroughly improve this diagnostic scenario. This study aims to assess the DNAJB9 immunohistochemical expression in a large series of FGN cases and to eventually confirm its role as a diagnostic marker of FGN. We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of DNAJB9 (Rabbit Polyclonal, ThermoFisher) in a series of 77 FGN and 128 non-FGN cases diagnosed between January 1992 and June 2022 at the Pathology Unit of the AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital. DNAJB9 was expressed in 73 of the 74 evaluable FGN cases, mostly showing a strong glomerular positivity (68 cases). Additionally, DNAJB9 resulted positive in all challenging scenarios [early-stage (6), congophilic (4), combined (4), and uncertain (4) cases of FGN)]. DNAJB9 was negative in all non-FGN cases, eventually resulting in a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 99%. In conclusion, we confirmed the role of DNAJB9 as a diagnostic marker of FGN. Its adoption in the clinical routine will allow a faster, more feasible, and more accurate FGN diagnosis.

Novel approaches beyond standard immunofluorescence for kidney biopsies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Immunofluorescence on frozen tissue (IF-F) utilizing antibodies against immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy and light chains (IgA, IgG and IgM, kappa and lambda) and components of classical and alternative complement pathways (C1q, C3c and C4) is the standard of renal pathology. However, conventional IF-F has limitations, particularly in nephropathies associated with organized and/or monoclonal Ig deposits. This review will discuss new applications of established methods beyond conventional IF-F and recent novel immunohistochemical methods.

RECENT FINDINGS

The combined application of paraffin immunofluorescence (IF-P) and IgG subtype staining excluded monotypic deposits in 62-66% of DNA J homolog subfamily B member 9-associated fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) with apparent monotypic deposits by IF-F, whereas IF-P unmasks IgG deposits in a subset of cases of immunotactoid glomerulopathy. A novel IF technique targeting epitopes at the junction of the Ig heavy and light chains was introduced and unmasked polytypic deposits in a subset of glomerulonephritis with apparent monotypic deposits on IF-F. A recent study described the successful application of co-detection by indexing (CODEX) multiplexed IF to visualize more than a dozen target antigens within a single kidney tissue section. Finally, immunohistochemical protocols for detection of the novel antigens in membranous nephropathy have already entered the clinical practice of renal pathology.

SUMMARY

Novel ancillary techniques in renal pathology have the potential to significantly enhance our ability to evaluate renal biopsies.

Paraneoplastic Glomerular Diseases

Paraneoplastic glomerular diseases (GNs) are rare manifestations in patients with underlying hematologic and solid organ malignancies and can occur before or after the detection of cancer. In the absence of established algorithms for investigation and reliable tests, they remain difficult to diagnose. Given the heterogeneity and infrequency of cases, the pathogenesis of most paraneoplastic GNs is poorly understood. Most of our recent understanding of paraneoplastic GNs has emerged from the discovery of target antigens in membranous nephropathy such as thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing protein 7A and neural epidermal growth factor-like 1 protein that appear to be promising in differentiating a primary vs paraneoplastic cause of membranous nephropathy. Treatment of paraneoplastic GNs is usually directed at the underlying malignancy. This review will focus on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of paraneoplastic glomerular processes.