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Protein expression in vesicoureteral reflux: What about children?

Eda Tokat1, Mustafa Özgür Tan2, Serhat Gürocak2

  • 1University of Health Sciences, Ankara Research and Training Hospital, Department of Urology, Ulucanlar caddesi No:89, Ankara 06230, Turkey.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|May 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study found decreased protein expression of GDNF/RET, PAX2, and FGFR2 genes in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). These protein levels did not correlate with reflux grade or kidney function, suggesting further research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Genetics

Background:

  • Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) pathogenesis involves abnormal embryonal ureteric bud development, with several candidate genes implicated.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms underlying VUR remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protein expression levels of GDNF/RET, PAX2, and FGFR2 in ureterovesical junction segments from children with VUR.
  • To explore potential correlations between these protein expressions and clinical parameters of VUR.

Main Methods:

  • Western blot analysis was performed on 28 ureterovesical junction segments from 19 pediatric patients who underwent ureteroneocystostomy for VUR.
  • Protein expression of GDNF/RET, PAX2, and FGFR2 was quantified and compared to β-Actin.

Main Results:

  • Significantly lower protein expression of FGFR2, PAX2, and RET was observed in VUR patients compared to the control (β-Actin).
  • No significant correlations were found between the protein expression levels of these genes and the grade of VUR or differential renal function.

Conclusions:

  • Decreased protein expression of GDNF/RET, PAX2, and FGFR2 is associated with VUR in children.
  • The expression levels of these proteins do not appear to correlate with clinical VUR severity or renal function.
  • Larger prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the role of these proteins in VUR etiopathogenesis.
Abstract

Keywords:
FGFR2GDNF/RETGeneticsPAX2Ureteral buddingVesicoureteral reflux

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