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Published on: May 6, 2018
Minimal change nephrotic syndrome and prohibitin-2 gene polymorphism
Keisuke Sugimoto1, Tomoki Miyazawa1, Kohei Miyazaki1
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-higashi, Osaka-sayama, 589-8511, Japan.
Background:
Patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) often also have allergic diseases. Abnormalities of Th2-derived cytokines and T-cell functions contribute to development of these diseases. On the other hand, imbalances between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants have been implicated in MCNS and progression of atopic dermatitis. ROS, produced mainly within mitochondria, subject cells to oxidative stress, while prohibitin 2 protects mitochondria by increasing tolerance to ROS. Additionally, podocin, a member of the slit diaphragm protein complex, contains PHB-like domain that serves as a signaling platform regulating podocyte function through associated transmembrane proteins.
Patients And Method:
Then, we performed exome sequencing analysis in five patients with frequently relapsing their MCNS associated with allergic disease and serum IgE concentrations of 2000 IU/L or higher.
Results:
We detected a heterozygous prohibitin 2 polymorphism, c.873-3_873-2 delCA (rs111523336), in 1 patient. This mutation in exon 9 caused frameshifts in regions connected to splicing sites, where they could disrupt transcription of prohibitin 2. Frequency of this polymorphism in exon 9 is 7.3% among Japanese. Increase in peripheral blood ROS even MCNS remission state suggests the heterozygous prohibitin 2 variant may contribute to give more susceptibility towards the recurrence of MCNS as well as atopic skin disease. This increase may have progression of atopic dermatitis, which sometimes heralded.
Conclusion:
The prohibitin-2 polymorphism may reduce ROS tolerance in glomerular epithelium and led to high local exposure to ROS, increasing permeability of the glomerular basement membrane to result in proteinuria. Imbalance between ROS and antioxidants together with failure of signal transduction in the glomerular slit membrane caused by prohibitin 2 abnormality could have contributed to nephrotic syndrome in our patients. Prohibitin 2 analysis is needed in additional MCNS patients with concomitant allergic disease.
Insights
A prohibitin 2 gene variant may increase susceptibility to minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) and allergic diseases by reducing cellular tolerance to reactive oxygen species (ROS). This finding highlights a potential link between genetic factors and oxidative stress in MCNS recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) frequently co-occurs with allergic diseases, suggesting shared underlying mechanisms.
- Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, is implicated in MCNS and atopic dermatitis.
- Prohibitin 2 (PHB2) plays a role in mitochondrial protection against ROS and in podocyte function via its PHB-like domain.
Observation:
- Exome sequencing was performed on five patients with frequently relapsing MCNS, allergic disease, and elevated serum IgE.
- A heterozygous prohibitin 2 polymorphism (c.873-3_873-2 delCA, rs111523336) was identified in one patient, potentially disrupting PHB2 transcription.
- Increased peripheral blood ROS was observed even during MCNS remission in the patient with the variant.
Findings:
- The identified prohibitin 2 variant may reduce ROS tolerance in glomerular epithelial cells, leading to increased ROS exposure and glomerular basement membrane permeability.
- This ROS intolerance and potential signaling failure in the glomerular slit membrane could contribute to MCNS development and recurrence.
- The variant might also increase susceptibility to allergic skin diseases like atopic dermatitis.
Implications:
- Prohibitin 2 analysis may be warranted in MCNS patients with co-existing allergic conditions.
- Understanding the role of PHB2 in ROS tolerance could offer new therapeutic targets for MCNS and related allergic disorders.
- Further studies are needed to confirm the association between prohibitin 2 variants and MCNS pathogenesis.
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