An Exploratory Approach of Clinically Useful Biomarkers of Cvid by Logistic Regression.

Despite advancements in genetic and functional studies, the timely diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) remains a significant challenge. This exploratory study was designed to assess the diagnostic performance of a novel panel of biomarkers for CVID, incorporating the sum of κ+λ light chains, soluble B-cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) levels, switched memory B cells (smB) and the VISUAL score. Comparative analyses utilizing logistic regression were performed against established gold-standard tests, specifically antibody responses. Our research encompassed 88 subjects, comprising 27 CVID, 23 selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD), 20 secondary immunodeficiency (SID) patients and 18 healthy controls. We established the diagnostic accuracy of sBCMA and the sum κ+λ, achieving sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Spe) of 89% and 89%, and 90% and 99%, respectively. Importantly, sBCMA showed strong correlations with all evaluated biomarkers (sum κ+λ, smB cell and VISUAL), whereas the sum κ+λ was uniquely independent from smB cells or VISUAL, suggesting its additional diagnostic value. Through a multivariate tree decision model, specific antibody responses and the sum κ+λ emerged as independent, signature biomarkers for CVID, with the model showcasing an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.946, Se 0.85, and Spe 0.95. This tree-decision model promises to enhance diagnostic efficiency for CVID, underscoring the sum κ+λ as a superior CVID classifier and potential diagnostic criterion within the panel.

Specific Cellular and Humoral Response after the Third Dose of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 RNA Vaccine in Patients with Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases on Immunosuppressive Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Data on cellular and humoral immunogenicity after the third dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRDs) are scarce. Herein, we evaluated the adaptive immune response in IMRD patients treated with different immunosuppressive therapies (conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [csDMARDs], biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [bDMARDs], and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [tsDMARDs]) after the booster of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to determine whether any drug reduced the vaccine's response. METHODS: A single-center prospective study was conducted, including patients presenting with IMRD and healthy controls (HC). Specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production was evaluated between 8-12 weeks after the third dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. In addition, anti-Spike IgG antibody titers were also measured. RESULTS: Samples were obtained from 79 IMRD patients (51 women, 28 men; mean age 57 ± 11.3 years old): 43 rheumatoid arthritis, 10 psoriatic arthritis, 14 ankylosing spondylitis, 10 undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, and 2 inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis (IBD-SpA). In total, 31 HC (mean age 50.9 ± 13.1 years old, 67.7% women) were included in the study. Post-vaccine results displayed positive T-cell immune responses in 68 out of 79 (86.1%) IMRD patients (82.3% of those without prior COVID-19). All HC and IMRDs patients had an antibody response against the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain; however, the HC response was significantly higher (median of 18,048 AU/mL) than in IMRDs patients (median of 6590.3 AU/mL, p < 0.001). MTX and leflunomide were associated with lower titers of IgG and IFN-γ responses. Among bDMARDs, adalimumab, etanercept, and guselkumab are associated with reduced cellular responses. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data show that the majority of our IMRD patients develop cellular and humoral responses after the SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination, emphasizing the relevance of vaccination in this group. However, the magnitude of specific responses was dependent on the immunosuppressive therapy administered. Specific vaccination protocols and personalized decisions about boosters are essential for these patients.

Specific Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses to the Neoantigen RBD of SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency and Healthy Donors.

Patients with antibody deficiency disorders, such as primary immunodeficiency (PID) or secondary immunodeficiency (SID) to B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (B-CLPD), are two groups vulnerable to developing the severe or chronic form of coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The data on adaptive immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 are well described in healthy donors, but still limited in patients with antibody deficiency of a different cause. Herein, we analyzed spike-specific IFN-γ and anti-spike IgG antibody responses at 3 to 6 months after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 derived from vaccination and/or infection in two cohorts of immunodeficient patients (PID vs. SID) compared to healthy controls (HCs). Pre-vaccine anti-SARS-CoV-2 cellular responses before vaccine administration were measured in 10 PID patients. Baseline cellular responses were detectable in 4 out of 10 PID patients who had COVID-19 prior to vaccination, perceiving an increase in cellular responses after two-dose vaccination (p < 0.001). Adequate specific cellular responses were observed in 18 out of 20 (90%) PID patients, in 14 out of 20 (70%) SID patients and in 74 out of 81 (96%) HCs after vaccination (and natural infection in some cases). Specific IFN-γ response was significantly higher in HC with respect to PID (1908.5 mUI/mL vs. 1694.1 mUI/mL; p = 0.005). Whereas all SID and HC patients mounted a specific humoral immune response, only 80% of PID patients showed positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. The titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was significantly lower in SID compared with HC patients (p = 0.040), without significant differences between PID and HC patients (p = 0.123) and between PID and SID patients (p =0.683). High proportions of PID and SID patients showed adequate specific cellular responses to receptor binding domain (RBD) neoantigen, with a divergence between the two arms of the adaptive immune response in PID and SID patients. We also focused on the correlation of protection of positive SARS-CoV-2 cellular response to omicron exposure: 27 out of 81 (33.3%) HCs referred COVID-19 detected by PCR or antigen test, 24 with a mild course, 1 with moderate symptoms and the remaining 2 with bilateral pneumonia that were treated in an outpatient basis. Our results might support the relevance of these immunological studies to determine the correlation of protection with severe disease and for deciding the need for additional boosters on a personalized basis. Follow-up studies are required to evaluate the duration and variability in the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination or infection.

Combined Immune Defect in B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders Is Associated with Severe Infection and Cancer Progression.

B cell chronic lymphoproliferative diseases (B-CLPD) are associated with secondary antibody deficiency and other innate and adaptive immune defects, whose impact on infectious risk has not been systematically addressed. We performed an immunological analysis of a cohort of 83 B-CLPD patients with recurrent and/or severe infections to ascertain the clinical relevance of the immune deficiency expression. B-cell defects were present in all patients. Patients with combined immune defect had a 3.69-fold higher risk for severe infection (p = 0.001) than those with predominantly antibody defect. Interestingly, by Kaplan-Meier analysis, combined immune defect showed an earlier progression of cancer with a hazard ratio of 3.21, than predominantly antibody defect (p = 0.005). When B-CLPD were classified in low-degree, high-degree, and plasma cell dyscrasias, risk of severe disease and cancer progression significantly diverged in combined immune defect, compared with predominantly antibody defect (p = 0.001). Remarkably, an underlying primary immunodeficiency (PID) was suspected in 12 patients (14%), due to prior history of infections, autoimmune and granulomatous conditions, atypical or variegated course and compatible biological data. This first proposed SID classification might have relevant clinical implications, in terms of predicting severe infections and cancer progression, and might be applied to different B-CLPD entities.

Association of anti-SARS-COV-2 vaccine with increased incidence of myositis-related anti-RNA-synthetases auto-antibodies.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is a RNA virus that associates with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and complications. Auto-antibodies are identified in approximately 50% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Objectives: To determine the global incidence of myositis-related auto-antibodies (non Jo1-RNA synthetases: anti-PL7, anti-PL12, anti-EJ, anti-OJ and RNA-sensor: anti-MDA5) in our laboratory during COVID-19 pandemics, and to describe the clinical and laboratory features of these patients. Study design: A retrospective study was performed from 2015 to 2021 in a cohort of 444 patients with suspected inflammatory myopathy. The incidence of positive results for the MSA was expressed as absolute value per year for the reference population. Immunoblot analysis, indirect immunofluorescence and HLA typing of 36 patients with positivity for MSAs were collected and analyzed. Results: We observed MSA positive in 28 patients in 2020 and 36 patients in 2021, representing a mean increase of 6-fold respect to previous years since 2015 (range, 0 to 19). In 2020, the most common antibody detected was anti-MDA5 (68%). In contrast, in 2021 the most common antibodies were anti-PL7 and/or anti-PL12 (69%). All patients in 2021 with positive anti-synthetases were fully vaccinated, 4 had previous documented infection, with median time from vaccine to MSA positivity of 5 months. Eight out of 36 patients (22%) reported clinical onset after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and 6 out of 36 (17%) presented clinical and/or radiological worsening after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. All patients presented with a known human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1* allele associated with ASS. The most prevalent alleles identified were DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04, DRB1*11:01, corresponding to 70% (16/23) of our cohort. Conclusions: Our preliminary data show an increased incidence of anti-synthetase antibodies during COVID-19 pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination associated to HLA DRB1* risk allele. Differential profiles of MSA specificities were observed: mainly against RNA-sensors in 2020 and against RNA-synthetases in 2021. Further studies are needed to support the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination and the occurrence of this autoimmune syndrome.

B-cell haematological malignancies and SARS-CoV-2 infection: Could immunological interventions influence the outcome?

B cell haematological malignancies (HMs) have been described as the worst cancer type for concomitant COVID-19 in terms of mortality, with rates up to 65%. This risk factor for COVID-19 cannot only be explained by comorbidities and advanced age of patients, but aggravated by secondary immunodeficiency (SID). We aimed at evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on 86 HM patients with concomitant SID from a single centre. Only 14 HM patients of 86 (16.28%) patients suffered COVID-19, with mortality rate of 7%. When we considered patients according to B-cell defect only or multiple immune defect overlap (B-T-cell/NK cells/complement), patients with immune defect overlap presented 5.30-fold higher risk of COVID-19 than only B cell defect (95% CI, 1.67-17.0) (p = 0.004). Seven (50%) patients were on active IgRT; while five (36%) had received prior mucosal vaccines for respiratory infections. Our results show that modelling SID in HM may contribute to better prediction of infectious risk and to prompt more targeted and timely preventive therapies.

Sublingual Bacterial Vaccination Reduces Recurrent Infections in Patients With Autoimmune Diseases Under Immunosuppressant Treatment.

Introduction: Conventional or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the mainstay of treatment for systemic autoimmune disease (SAD). Infectious complications are a major concern in their use. Objective: To evaluate the clinical benefit of sublingual mucosal polybacterial vaccines (MV130 and MV140), used to prevent recurrent respiratory and urinary tract infections, in patients with SAD and secondary recurrent infections following conventional or biologic DMARDs. Methods: An observational study in SAD patients with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI) and/or recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) was carried out. All patients underwent mucosal (sublingual) vaccination with MV130 for RRTI or with MV140 for RUTI daily for 3 months. Clinical evaluation was assessed during 12 months of follow-up after the first dose, i.e., 3 months under treatment and 9 months once discontinued, and compared with the previous year. Results: Forty-one out of 55 patients completed 1-year follow-up. All patients were on either conventional or biologic DMARDs. A significant decrease in the frequency of RUTI (p<0.001), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) (p=0.009) and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) (p=0.006) at 12-mo with respect to the previous year was observed. Antibiotic prescriptions and unscheduled medical visits decreased significantly (p<0.020) in all groups. Hospitalization rate also declined in patients with RRTI (p=0.019). The clinical benefit demonstrated was concomitant to a significant increase in both anti-S. pneumoniae IgA and IgG antibodies following MV130 vaccination. Conclusions: Sublingual polybacterial vaccines prevent recurrent infections in patients with SAD under treatment with immunosuppressant therapies, supporting a broad non-specific anti-infectious effect in these patients.

Serological Tests in the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies.

Early detection of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for a timely update of health policies and allocation of resources. Particularly, serological testing may allow individuals with low-risk of being contagious of SARS-CoV-2 to return to daily activities. Both private and academic initiatives have sought to develop serological assays to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Herein, we compared five different assays in active healthcare personnel exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in a large center in Madrid, Spain, in a retrospective study. Median time lapse between polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) and serological testing was 11 days (7-21). All tests assessed IgM/IgG titers except for Euroimmun (IgA/IgG) and The Binding-Site (IgA/IgM/IgG). The highest concordance rate was observed between Dia.Pro and Euroimmun (75.76%), while it was lowest between The Binding-Site and Euroimmun (44.55%). The Binding-Site assay showed the highest concordance (85.52%) with PCR results. Considering PCR results as reference, Dia.Pro was the most sensitive test, although The Binding-Site assay exhibited the highest area under the curve (AUC; 0.85). OrientGene and MAGLUMI tests were performed in a smaller cohort with confirmed infection and thus were not adequate to estimate sensitivity and specificity. The Binding-Site assay presented the best joint sensitivity and specificity among all the tests analyzed in our cohort. Likewise, this serological assay presents a greater repertoire of antibodies and antigen-regions tested, which is why each individual's humoral immunity is more accurately reflected. The better the immunity test, the most adequate the health strategy to take in terms of organization of consultations, surgery, and treatments in vulnerable patients. The three antibody classes (IgG/IgM/IgA) were determined jointly, which translates to an economic impact on healthcare. While their role in the protection status remains elusive, serological tests add a valuable tool in the early management of SARS-CoV-2 after known exposition.

Variable immunodeficiency study: Evaluation of two European cohorts within a variety of clinical phenotypes.

INTRODUCTION: Given the wide heterogeneity of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), several groups have proposed clinical and immunological classifications to better define follow-up and prognostic algorithms. The present study aims to validate recent clinical and laboratory algorithms, based on different combinations of CVID biomarkers, to provide more personalized treatment and follow-up strategies. METHODS: We analysed clinical and immunological features of 80 patients with suspected or diagnosed CVID, in two reference centres of Portugal and Spain. Clinical manifestations were categorized into clinical phenotyping proposed by Chapel et al. [1] that included cytopenia; polyclonal lymphocytic infiltration; unexplained enteropathy; and no disease-related complications. RESULTS: 76% of patients in our cohort entered one of the four categories of clinical phenotyping, without overlap (cytopenia; polyclonal lymphocytic infiltration; unexplained enteropathy; and no disease-related complications). The most prominent phenotype was "cytopenia" (40%) followed by "polyclonal lymphocytic infiltration" (19%). The remaining 24% patients of our cohort had overlap of 2 clinical phenotypes (cytopenia and unexplained enteropathy mainly). A delay of CVID diagnosis in more than 6 years presented 3.7-fold higher risk of developing lymphoproliferation and/or malignancy (p < 0.05), and was associated with increased CD8+CD45RO + T-lymphocytes (p < 0.05). An association between decreased switched-memory B cells with lymphoproliferation and malignancy was observed (p < 0.03 and p < 0.05, respectively). CD4 + T-lymphocytopenia correlated with autoimmune phenotype, with 30% prevalence (p < 0.05). HLA-DR7 expression was related to CVID onset in early life in our patients (13 vs 25 years), and DQ2.5 or DQ2.2 with unexplained enteropathy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The phenotypic and genetic study is crucial for an adequate clinical orientation of CVID patients. In these two independent cohorts of patients, classification based in clinical and laboratory algorithms, provides more personalized treatment and follow-up strategies.

Trained Immunity-Based Vaccine in B Cell Hematological Malignancies With Recurrent Infections: A New Therapeutic Approach.

Infectious complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in B-cell hematological malignancies (HM). Prophylaxis for recurrent infections in HM patients with antibody deficiency consists of first-line antibiotics and when unsuccessful, gammaglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT). Recent knowledge of trained immunity-based vaccines (TIbV), such as the sublingual polybacterial formulation MV130, has shown a promising strategy in the management of patients with recurrent infections. We sought to determine the clinical benefit of MV130 in a cohort of HM patients with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) who underwent immunization with MV130 for 3 months. Clinical information included the frequency of infections, antibiotic use, number of visits to the GP and hospitalizations previous and after MV130 immunotherapy. Improvement on infection rate was classified as: clear (>60% reduction of infection), partial (26%-60%) and low (≤25%) improvement. Fifteen HM patients (aged 42 to 80 years; nine females) were included in the study. All patients reduced their infection rate. Analysis of paired data revealed that the median (range, min - max) of respiratory infectious rate significantly decreased from 4.0 (8.0-3.0) to 2.0 (4.0-0.0) (p<0.001) at 12 months of MV130. A clear clinical improvement was observed in 53% (n = 8) of patients, partial improvement in 40% (n = 6) and low improvement in 7% (n = 1). These data correlated with a decrease on antibiotic consumption from 3.0 (8.0-1.0) to 1.0 (2.0-0.0) (p = 0.002) during 12 months after initiation of treatment with MV130. The number of infectious-related GP or emergency room visits declined from 4.0 (8.0-2.0) to 2.0 (3.0-0.0) (p<0.001), in parallel with a reduction in hospital admissions due to infections (p = 0.032). Regarding safety, no adverse events were observed. On the other hand, immunological assessment of serum IgA and IgG levels demonstrated an increase in specific antibodies to MV130-contained bacteria following MV130 immunotherapy. In conclusion, MV130 may add clinical benefit reducing the rate of infections and enhancing humoral immune responses in these vulnerable patients.

Measurement of Typhim Vi IgG as a Diagnostic Tool to Determine Anti-polysaccharide Antibody Production Deficiency in Children.

Background: The assessment of specific polysaccharide antibody production plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis of humoral primary immunodeficiencies (PID). The response to 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of polysaccharide antibodies. However, in Spain, the interpretation of pure polysaccharide 23-valent immunization is hampered by the high endemicity of pneumococcal disease and the generalization of the 13-valent adjuvant pneumococcal vaccination. Specific Typhim Vi vaccination (TV) immunoglobulin G IgG response to immunization is useful in adult PID, but there is no data regarding children. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical utility of TV IgG production as a diagnostic tool to determine anti-polysaccharide antibody production deficiency in children, when the response to PPV is unclear and isolated determination of serotypes is unfeasible. Methods: We conducted a single-institution prospective observational study on 61 children with recurrent infections. Baseline specific antibodies against PPV and TV were evaluated. In 28 children (46%), the response to the production of antibodies confirmed a clinical suspicion of humoral PID, and they were therefore immunized with 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine and Typhim Vi. Both specific antibody responses were measured by ELISA (The Binding Site Group Ltd, Birmingham, UK) using previously published cut-offs. Results: Seventy percent of the 61 children displayed baseline PPV IgG > 27 mg/L, whereas only 8% showed TV IgG > 28 U/mL (p < 0.0001). Twenty-one of 28 children (75%) achieved a 3-fold increase in post-vaccination TV IgG levels, whereas only 3% achieved a 4-fold increase in PPV IgG post vaccination, mainly due to high baseline PPV IgG titers. When we classified children according to their response to TV as responders or non-responders and compared this with the well-known clinical warning signs of the Jeffrey Modell Foundation. The proportions of children with history of pneumonia and the need for intravenous antibiotics were significantly higher in TV IgG non-responders than in TV IgG responders (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Response to TV can be considered an ancillary diagnostic tool to determine polysaccharide antibodies in children, particularly when isolated determination of pneumococcal serotypes is not feasible. TV provides a useful asset for clinicians in the era of conjugate PPV vaccination, with clinical relevance. Further research is warranted for validation.

Complement mutations in diacylglycerol kinase-ε-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is characterized by vascular endothelial damage caused by complement dysregulation. Consistently, complement inhibition therapies are highly effective in most patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Recently, it was shown that a significant percentage of patients with early-onset atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome carry mutations in diacylglycerol kinase-ε, an intracellular protein with no obvious role in complement. These data support an alternative, complement-independent mechanism leading to thrombotic microangiopathy that has implications for treatment of early-onset atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. To get additional insights into this new form of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, the diacylglycerol kinase-ε gene in a cohort with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome was analyzed. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Eighty-three patients with early-onset atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (<2 years) enrolled in the Spanish atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome registry between 1999 and 2013 were screened for mutations in diacylglycerol kinase-ε. These patients were also fully characterized for mutations in the genes encoding factor H, membrane cofactor protein, factor I, C3, factor B, and thrombomodulin CFHRs copy number variations and rearrangements, and antifactor H antibodies. RESULTS: Four patients carried mutations in diacylglycerol kinase-ε, one p.H536Qfs*16 homozygote and three compound heterozygotes (p.W322*/p.P498R, two patients; p.Q248H/p.G484Gfs*10, one patient). Three patients also carried heterozygous mutations in thrombomodulin or C3. Extensive plasma infusions controlled atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome recurrences and prevented renal failure in the two patients with diacylglycerol kinase-ε and thrombomodulin mutations. A positive response to plasma infusions and complement inhibition treatment was also observed in the patient with concurrent diacylglycerol kinase-ε and C3 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that complement dysregulation influences the onset and disease severity in carriers of diacylglycerol kinase-ε mutations and that treatments on the basis of plasma infusions and complement inhibition are potentially useful in patients with combined diacylglycerol kinase-ε and complement mutations. A comprehensive understanding of the genetic component predisposing to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is, therefore, critical to guide an effective treatment.

An ELISA assay with two monoclonal antibodies allows the estimation of free factor H and identifies patients with acquired deficiency of this complement regulator.

Complement factor H (FH) serum levels can be affected by the presence of immune complexes of FH with autoantibodies like in autoimmune forms of atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) or with C3b in homozygous factor I (FI) deficiency. These complexes reduce the amount of free functional circulating FH. In this study we aimed to determine whether FH levels measurement is disturbed in some pathological conditions and to establish a method for quantifying free and total FH in serum. For that purpose, FH levels were measured in serum samples from aHUS patients having anti-FH autoantibodies or mutations in FH gene, in patients with homozygous FI deficiency, and in healthy controls. Two anti-FH monoclonal antibodies, OX24 and A229, recognizing different functional regions in FH, were used as capture antibodies in an ELISA assay. In the control group and in the group of patients with FH mutations, the FH levels obtained with the two monoclonal antibodies were similar. In patients with anti-FH autoantibodies or with homozygous FI deficiency, however, FH levels measured with both antibodies were significantly different. As these patients had complexes of FH with autoantibodies or C3b, we interpreted that OX24 was detecting total FH and A229 was recognising free FH. Therefore, quantification of FH in plasma using these two monoclonal antibodies provides not only total FH level but also gives an estimation of how much FH circulates free and is thus available to properly control complement activation.

Nephrin mutations cause childhood- and adult-onset focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Mutations in the NPHS1 gene cause congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type presenting before the first 3 months of life. Recently, NPHS1 mutations have also been identified in childhood-onset steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and milder courses of disease, but their role in adults with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis remains unknown. Here we developed an in silico scoring matrix to evaluate the pathogenicity of amino-acid substitutions using the biophysical and biochemical difference between wild-type and mutant amino acid, the evolutionary conservation of the amino-acid residue in orthologs, and defined domains, with the addition of contextual information. Mutation analysis was performed in 97 patients from 89 unrelated families, of which 52 presented with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome after 18 years of age. Compound heterozygous or homozygous NPHS1 mutations were identified in five familial and seven sporadic cases, including one patient 27 years old at onset of the disease. Substitutions were classified as 'severe' or 'mild' using this in silico approach. Our results suggest an earlier onset of the disease in patients with two 'severe' mutations compared to patients with at least one 'mild' mutation. The finding of mutations in a patient with adult-onset focal segmental glomerulosclerosis indicates that NPHS1 analysis could be considered in patients with later onset of the disease.

TRPC6 mutational analysis in a large cohort of patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the TRPC6 gene have been reported in six families with adult-onset (17-57 years) autosomal dominant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Electrophysiology studies confirmed augmented calcium influx only in three of these six TRPC6 mutations. To date, the role of TRPC6 in childhood and adulthood non-familial forms is unknown. METHODS: TRPC6 mutation analysis was performed by direct sequencing in 130 Spanish patients from 115 unrelated families with FSGS. An in silico scoring matrix was developed to evaluate the pathogenicity of amino acid substitutions, by using the bio-physical and bio-chemical differences between wild-type and mutant amino acid, the evolutionary conservation of the amino acid residue in orthologues, homologues and defined domains, with the addition of contextual information. RESULTS: Three new missense substitutions were identified in two clinically non-familial cases and in one familial case. The analysis by means of this scoring system allowed us to classify these variants as likely pathogenic mutations. One of them was detected in a female patient with unusual clinical features: mesangial proliferative FSGS in childhood (7 years) and partial response to immunosupressive therapy (CsA + MMF). Asymptomatic carriers of this likely mutation were found within her family. CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time TRPC6 mutations in children and adults with non-familial FSGS. It seems that TRPC6 is a gene with a very variable penetrance that may contribute to glomerular diseases in a multi-hit setting.

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: long-term evolution after sequential therapy.

We present a retrospective study of 30 children of mean age 3.02 +/- 1.81 years with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) treated with intravenous injection of methylprednisolone plus orally administered prednisone; 24 children also received cyclophosphamide (CP). Sixteen were resistant to steroids from the beginning, and 14 after a mean of 11.26 +/- 16.61 months. The initial histological diagnosis was: 18 minimal change disease (MCD), 11 focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and one diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (DMPG). Total remission was achieved in 22 patients (73.3%), partial response in three (10%) and no response in five (16.6%), two of whom were brothers carrying an NPHS2 gene double mutation. There was no difference in response between the MCD and FSGS patients; the only patient with DMPG did not respond. Only initial resistance was a sign of bad prognosis. At follow-up (6.4 +/- 3.6 years from last pulse), 21/22 were still in remission, 14/21 were without treatment. Six patients required cyclosporine or mycophenolate mofetil because of steroid dependence. Two non-responders developed end-stage renal failure (ESRF); the remaining patients maintained normal glomerular filtration. The treatment was well tolerated. In conclusion, most of the patients treated with sequential therapy consisting of methylprednisolone (MP) (100%) and CP (80%) showed remission and preserved renal function, but 20% developed steroid dependence.