TRPC6 single nucleotide polymorphisms and progression of idiopathic membranous nephropathy

Urinary peptidomics reveals proteases involved in idiopathic membranous nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is a cause of nephrotic syndrome that is increasing in incidence but has unclear pathogenesis. Urinary peptidomics is a promising technology for elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying diseases. Dysregulation of the proteolytic system is implicated in various diseases. Here, we aimed to conduct urinary peptidomics to identify IMN-related proteases.

RESULTS

Peptide fingerprints indicated differences in naturally produced urinary peptide components among 20 healthy individuals, 22 patients with IMN, and 15 patients with other kidney diseases. In total, 1,080 peptide-matched proteins were identified, 279 proteins differentially expressed in the urine of IMN patients were screened, and 32 proteases were predicted; 55 of the matched proteins were also differentially expressed in the kidney tissues of IMN patients, and these were mainly involved in the regulation of proteasome-, lysosome-, and actin cytoskeleton-related signaling pathways. The 32 predicted proteases showed abnormal expression in the glomeruli of IMN patients based on Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Western blot revealed abnormal expression of calpain, matrix metalloproteinase 14, and cathepsin S in kidney tissues of patients with IMN.

CONCLUSIONS

This work shown the calpain/matrix metalloproteinase/cathepsin axis might be dysregulated in IMN. Our study is the first to systematically explore the role of proteases in IMN by urinary peptidomics, which are expected to facilitate discovery of better biomarkers for IMN.

Two Children With Novel TRPC6 Spontaneous Missense Mutations and Atypical Phenotype: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background: The phenotypes of TRPC6 mutations have been reported mainly in familial and sporadic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which can occur in both adults and children. Herein, we report on two children with novel TRPC6 spontaneous missense mutations associated with immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis and minor glomerular abnormality (MGA) that showed to be resistant to corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants. Case Presentation: A 9-year-old girl presented with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), while another 11-year-old boy developed proteinuria at 7 years old. Treatment with a variety of immunosuppressants had no effect, and the renal biopsy showed immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis and MGA. No members of their family were clinically affected. Genetic testing was performed in the two patients, revealing two novel spontaneous missense mutations in TRPC6-N110S and P112R. The girl developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD) 5 months after onset while the boy continued to have sub-nephrotic range proteinuria and normal creatinine. Conclusions: Two novel TRPC6 mutations were associated with the atypical phenotype-immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis and MGA, rather than FSGS as previously reported. Their rates of disease progression are different. Genetic testing is helpful to identify the etiology and avoid the side effects brought on by immunosuppressants.

Role of TRPC6 in Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The underlining goal of this review is to offer a concise, detailed look into current knowledge surrounding transient receptor potential canonical channel 6 (TRPC6) in the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Mutations and over-activation in TRPC6 channel activity lead to the development of glomeruli injury. Angiotensin II, reactive oxygen species, and other factors in the setting of DKD stimulate drastic increases in calcium influx through the TRPC6 channel, causing podocyte hypertrophy and foot process effacement. Loss of the podocytes further promote deterioration of the glomerular filtration barrier and play a major role in the development of both albuminuria and the renal injury in DKD. Recent genetic manipulation with TRPC6 channels in various rodent models provide additional knowledge about the role of TRPC6 in DKD and are reviewed here. The TRPC6 channel has a pronounced role in the progression of DKD, with deviations in activity yielding detrimental outcomes. The benefits of targeting TRPC6 or its upstream or downstream signaling pathways in DKD are prominent.

[Research advances in the association between transient receptor potential cation channel 6 and kidney disease]

Transient receptor potential cation channel 6 (TRPC6) is a member of the transient receptor superfamily encoded by the TRPC6 gene and is widely expressed in tissues and organs of the human body, especially in the glomerular podocytes. TRPC6 interacts with various slit diaphragm (SD) proteins including podocin, nephrin, ACTN4, and CD2AP to maintain the normal structure and function of glomerular podocytes. Foot process fusion caused by podocyte damage due to various factors is the most important morphological change in kidney disease. This article reviews the biological function of TRPC6 and its effect on kidney disease.

Exome sequencing identifies SUCO mutations in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the main type and most common medically intractable form of epilepsy. Severity of disease-based stratified samples may help identify new disease-associated mutant genes. We analyzed mRNA expression profiles from patient hippocampal tissue. Three of the seven patients had severe mTLE with generalized-onset convulsions and consciousness loss that occurred over many years. We found that compared with other groups, patients with severe mTLE were classified into a distinct group. Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing validation in all seven patients identified three novel SUN domain-containing ossification factor (SUCO) mutations in severely affected patients. Furthermore, SUCO knock down significantly reduced dendritic length in vitro. Our results indicate that mTLE defects may affect neuronal development, and suggest that neurons have abnormal development due to lack of SUCO, which may be a generalized-onset epilepsy-related gene.

TRPC6 gene promoter polymorphisms in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome children

Introduction: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is the most frequent cause of proteinuria in children and is emerging as a leading cause of uremia. Among idiopathic NS, 10% of children do not respond to steroids or to any other immunosuppressive therapy, and progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Several studies have investigated the mutations in genes encoding podocyte proteins and their possible associations with several forms of hereditary NS. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the distribution of the TRPC6 gene promoter polymorphisms in subjects with features of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) and controls. Patients and Methods: About 49 unrelated patients with SRNS and 45 age matched controls no renal or other disorders were included in the study. PCR-RFLP was used for genotyping rs3824934 (-254C>G) and rs56134796 (-218C>T) polymorphisms located in TRPC6 gene promoter region. Results: Both -254C>G and -218C>T are polymorphic in both SRNS patients and controls. No statistically significant differences in genotypes or allele frequencies between SRNS patients and controls were observed. Linkage disequilibrium was not strong and significant and haplotypes were not associated with SRNS. Interaction analysis by multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) revealed a significant interaction between -254G>C and -218C>T in <10 years age group. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the TRPC6 polymorphisms do not affect susceptibility of SRNS in Indian population. Further replications, preferably a systematic search for TRPC6 functional variants that affect gene expression are desirable for validation of our findings.