Analysis of IL-1ß, TGF-ß, IL-5, ACE, PTPN22 gene polymorphisms, and gene expression levels in Turkish children with IgA vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE: Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV) is an inflammatory disease that affects small blood vessels. This study was performed to identify an association between protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) + 788G > A (rs33996649), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) -509C > T (rs18004069), interleukin 1-beta (IL-1ß) -511C > T (rs16944), interleukin 5 (IL-5) -746C/T (rs2069812), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D (rs4646994) gene polymorphisms, susceptibility to IgAV, as well as the mRNA levels of IL-1ß, IL-1ß, and TGF-ß. METHOD: A total of 53 patients with IgAV and 50 healthy controls were enrolled. PTPN22, TGF-ß, IL-1ß, ACE gene polymorphisms, ACE gene I/D polymorphisms, and mRNA expression levels were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, allele-specific PCR, and real-time PCR with TaqMan kits, respectively. RESULTS: PTPN22, TGF-ß, IL-1ß, IL-5, and ACE variants showed no genotype or allele differences between patients with IgAV and controls. Increased levels of IL-1ß and TGF-ß mRNA expressions were observed in patients with IgAV (p < 0.001). Patients with the IL-1ß AG genotype showed significantly increased amounts of arthritis than patients with non-AG (p = 0.004). Age at disease onset was found to be significantly different in patients with IgAV according to the presence of TGF-ß TT genotype (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms in PTPN22, TGF-ß, IL-5, IL-1ß, and ACE genes are unlikely to confer susceptibility to IgAV. However, the presence of the AG genotype of IL-1ß is associated with susceptibility to IgAV-related arthritis. This is the first study to report a significant increase in serum mRNA levels of IL-1ß and TGF-ß in IgAV patients, supporting a susceptibility to IgAV in childhood.

Long-term kidney outcomes in children after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation assessed with estimated glomerular filtration rate equations, creatinine levels, and cystatin C levels / Desfechos renais a longo prazo em crianças após transplante alogênico de células-tronco hematopoiéticas avaliados com equações de taxa de filtração glomerular estimada, níveis de creatinina e níveis de cistatina C

Abstract Background and objective: With the widespread use of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), long-term complications have come to the fore. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) developing in the long term in patients who underwent allo-HSCT in childhood and also to investigate the superiority of eGFR formulas. Methods: The present study evaluated CKD in patients who underwent allo-HSCT. We analyzed the 94 children who received allo-HSCT at the Ege University in İzmir between August and November, 2019. The patients were evaluated at 2 years after transplantation. CKD was defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 using eGFR equations based on serum creatinine (SCr), cystatin C (CysC), and SCr plus CysC. Results: In our study, 9 (9.4%), according to Bedside Schwartz, 59 (76.6%), according to CKiD-eGFR-CysC, and 20 (26%) patients, according to CKiD-eGFR-SCr-CysC equations were identified with CKD. In cases identifies as CKD according to CysC, early development of acute kidney injury (AKI), post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and being >120 months during transplantation were found to be associated with the development of CKD. Conclusion: We may be delayed in detecting CKD by calculating SCr-based formulas in allo-HSCT cases, which is a patient group where early diagnosis and treatment of CKD is very important.

Resumo Antecedentes e objetivo: Com o uso generalizado do transplante alogênico de células-tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH-alo), as complicações a longo prazo tornaram-se evidentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência e os fatores de risco do desenvolvimento de doença renal crônica (DRC) a longo prazo em pacientes submetidos a TCTH-alo na infância, e também investigar a superioridade das fórmulas de TFGe. Métodos: O presente estudo avaliou a DRC em pacientes que foram submetidos ao TCTH-alo. Analisamos as 94 crianças que receberam TCTH-alo na Universidade Ege em İzmir entre Agosto e Novembro de 2019. Os pacientes foram avaliados aos 2 anos após o transplante. A DRC foi definida como uma taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) <90 mL/min/1,73 m2 usando equações de TFGe baseadas em creatinina sérica (CrS), cistatina C (CisC), e CrS mais CisC. Resultados: Em nosso estudo, 9 pacientes (9,4%), de acordo com a equação de Schwartz (à beira do leito), 59 (76,6%), de acordo com a equação DRC-TFGe-CisC, e 20 (26%) pacientes, de acordo com a equação DRC-TFGe-CrS-CisC, foram classificados com DRC. Quando a TFG é avaliada pela CisC, verificamos que o desenvolvimento precoce de lesão renal aguda (LRA), a reativação do citomegalovírus (CMV) pós-transplante e ter >120 meses durante o transplante foram associados ao desenvolvimento de DRC. Conclusão: Pode haver atraso na detecção da DRC quando usamos fórmulas baseadas em CrS em casos de TCTH-alo, que é um grupo de pacientes onde o diagnóstico e tratamento precoces da DRC são muito importantes.

Long-term kidney outcomes in children after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation assessed with estimated glomerular filtration rate equations, creatinine levels, and cystatin C levels.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: With the widespread use of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), long-term complications have come to the fore. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) developing in the long term in patients who underwent allo-HSCT in childhood and also to investigate the superiority of eGFR formulas. METHODS: The present study evaluated CKD in patients who underwent allo-HSCT. We analyzed the 94 children who received allo-HSCT at the Ege University in Izmir between August and November, 2019. The patients were evaluated at 2 years after transplantation. CKD was defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 using eGFR equations based on serum creatinine (SCr), cystatin C (CysC), and SCr plus CysC. RESULTS: In our study, 9 (9.4%), according to Bedside Schwartz, 59 (76.6%), according to CKiD-eGFR-CysC, and 20 (26%) patients, according to CKiD-eGFR-SCr-CysC equations were identified with CKD. In cases identifies as CKD according to CysC, early development of acute kidney injury (AKI), post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and being >120 months during transplantation were found to be associated with the development of CKD. CONCLUSION: We may be delayed in detecting CKD by calculating SCr-based formulas in allo-HSCT cases, which is a patient group where early diagnosis and treatment of CKD is very important.

Interleukin-8 is increased in chronic kidney disease in children, but not related to cardiovascular disease / A Interleucina-8 é aumentada na doença renal crônica em crianças, mas não se relaciona a doença cardiovascular

Abstract Introduction: In this study, we aimed to detect the cytokine that is involved in the early stage of chronic kidney disease and associated with cardiovascular disease. Methods: We included 50 patients who were diagnosed with predialytic chronic kidney disease and 30 healthy pediatric patients in Ege University Medical Faculty Pediatric Clinic, İzmir/Turkey. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-13 (IL-13), and transforming grow factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels (pg/mL) were measured by ELISA. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (Aix), carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were evaluated as markers of cardiovascular disease. The presence of a cardiovascular disease marker was defined as an abnormality in any of the parameters (cIMT, PWV, Aix, and left ventricular mass index (SVKI)). The patient group was divided into two groups as with and without cardiovascular disease. Results: Mean Aix and PWV values were higher in CKD patients than controls (Aix: CKD 32.8±11.11%, healthy subjects: 6.74±6.58%, PWV CKD: 7.31±4.34m/s, healthy subjects: 3.42±3.01m/s, respectively; p=0.02, p=0.03). The serum IL-8 levels of CKD were significantly higher than of healthy subjects 568.48±487.35pg/mL, 33.67±47.47pg/mL, respectively (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, TGF-1, in CKD patients with and without cardiovascular disease (p> 0.05). Discussion: IL-8 is the sole cytokine that increases in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease among other cytokines (IL-10, IL-13 and TGF-β1). However, we did not show that IL-8 is related to the presence of cardiovascular disease.

Resumo Introdução: Neste estudo, o objetivo foi detectar a citocina envolvida no estágio inicial da doença renal crônica e associada à doença cardiovascular. Métodos: Incluímos 50 pacientes diagnosticados com doença renal crônica pré-dialítica e 30 pacientes pediátricos saudáveis na Clínica Pediátrica da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Ege, İzmir/Turquia. Níveis de interleucina-8 (IL-8), interleucina-10 (IL-10), interleucina-13 (IL-13), fator de transformação do crescimento -β1 (TGF-β1) (pg/mL) foram medidos por ELISA. Velocidade de onda de pulso carotídeo-femoral (VOP), índice de amplificação (AIx), espessura da camada íntima-média da carótida (cIMT), índice de massa do ventrículo esquerdo (IMVE) foram avaliados como marcadores de doença cardiovascular. A presença de marcador de doença cardiovascular foi definida como uma anormalidade em qualquer dos parâmetros (cIMT, VOP, AIx, índice de massa do ventrículo esquerdo (IMVE)). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos como com e sem doença cardiovascular. Resultados: Valores médios de AIx e VOP foram maiores em pacientes com DRC que nos controles (AIx: DRC: 32,8±11,11%, indivíduos saudáveis: 6,74±6,58%, VOP: DRC: 7,31±4,34m/s, indivíduos saudáveis: 3,42±3,01m/s, respectivamente; p=0,02, p=0,03). Níveis séricos de IL-8 de DRC foram significativamente maiores que de indivíduos saudáveis 568,48±487,35pg/mL, 33,67±47,47pg/mL, respectivamente (p<0,001). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, TGF-1, em pacientes com DRC com e sem doença cardiovascular (p> 0,05). Discussão: IL-8 é a única citocina que aumenta em pacientes pediátricos com doença renal crônica entre outras citocinas (IL-10, IL-13 e TGF-β1). Entretanto, IL-8 não se associou à presença de doença cardiovascular.

Interleukin-8 is increased in chronic kidney disease in children, but not related to cardiovascular disease.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to detect the cytokine that is involved in the early stage of chronic kidney disease and associated with cardiovascular disease. METHODS: We included 50 patients who were diagnosed with predialytic chronic kidney disease and 30 healthy pediatric patients in Ege University Medical Faculty Pediatric Clinic, Izmir/Turkey. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-13 (IL-13), and transforming grow factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) levels (pg/mL) were measured by ELISA. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (Aix), carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were evaluated as markers of cardiovascular disease. The presence of a cardiovascular disease marker was defined as an abnormality in any of the parameters (cIMT, PWV, Aix, and left ventricular mass index (SVKI)). The patient group was divided into two groups as with and without cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Mean Aix and PWV values were higher in CKD patients than controls (Aix: CKD 32.8±11.11%, healthy subjects: 6.74±6.58%, PWV CKD: 7.31±4.34m/s, healthy subjects: 3.42±3.01m/s, respectively; p=0.02, p=0.03). The serum IL-8 levels of CKD were significantly higher than of healthy subjects 568.48±487.35pg/mL, 33.67±47.47pg/mL, respectively (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, TGF-1, in CKD patients with and without cardiovascular disease (p> 0.05). DISCUSSION: IL-8 is the sole cytokine that increases in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease among other cytokines (IL-10, IL-13 and TGF-ß1). However, we did not show that IL-8 is related to the presence of cardiovascular disease.

What is The Best Choice in Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome: Mycophenolate Mofetil Plus Dexamethasone or Cyclosporine A.

The use of mycophenolatemofetil (MMF) in the treatment of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) is beneficial in decreasing the relapse rate and/or steroid dose. The effectiveness and long-term results of MMF/dexamethasone (DEX) in the treatment of SDNS are not well known. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficiency, safety, and long-term results of MMF/DEX in patients with SDNS in comparison with cyclosporine A (CsA) in a retrospective single-center trial. Between January 2009 and December 2015, 54 SDNS patients were treated with either MMF/DEX (n = 29) or CsA (n = 25). Relapse rates, relapse-free time, cumulative exposure to corticosteroids, proteinuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were retrospectively evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after the initiation of treatment. The mean cumulative exposure to corticosteroids for the MMF/DEX and CsA groups was 72.40 ± 71.85 mg/kg/year and 122.31 ± 74.35 mg/kg/year, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the cumulative exposure to corticosteroids in the MMF/DEX group (Z = 3.869; P <0.001). While the mean annual relapse for the MMF/DEX group was 1.07 ± 0.25, it was 1.70 ± 1.01 in the CsA group, and this difference was statistically significant (Z = 1.968; P = 0.049). Relapse-free time for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years compared between the MMF/DEX and CsA groups was 9.57 ± 2.58 versus 6.38 ± 2.43, 10.27 ± 1.98 versus 8.28 ± 2.28, and 9.67 ± 2.06 versus 6.52 ± 3.04, respectively. The difference was significantly higher in favor of MMF/DEX (between-subject effects F = 48.352; P<0.001). Both eGFR and proteinuria significantly changed over time. However, there was no significant difference between the groups until the later time points of the follow-up. The difference became evident only at the 2nd-and 3rd-year measurements. MMF/DEX seems superior to CsA in preventing relapses and reducing cumulative exposure to cortico-steroids. Thus, it may be considered a treatment option in children with SDNS.

Regulatory T-cell Changes in Patients with Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome after Rituximab Therapy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rituximab (RTX) treatment on serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A, G, M levels, and B and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ [T regulatory (Treg)] cell numbers in children who received RTX therapy with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Twenty-three SRNS children who received RTX and 20 healthy children in the control group were included. In this cross-sectional cohort study, 23 children with SRNS levels were determined before and one month after RTX treatment by serum IgA, IgG, IgM, and percentages of CD4+CD25+ FoxP3+ cells and B CD19+ cells by flow cytometry (FASCalibur). RTX was administered at a total of four doses of 375 mg/m2/week. Before RTX treatment, percentages of Treg and IgG values were significantly lower in the SRNS group compared to the control group, respectively (P = 0.001). B-cells were significantly lower one month after RTX treatment than before RTX treatment, respectively (P = 0.001). One month after RTX treatment percentages of Tregs, it was found to be significantly higher than before treatment level (P = 0.001). Seventy percent (11/23) remission was achieved with RTX treatment. RTX treatment not only depletes the number of B-cells in SRNS patients but also causes an increase in the number of percentages of Treg cells.