Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy Research Articles

Successful Treatment of Monoclonal Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy Associated with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Using Ibrutinib.

A 71-year-old woman developed nephrotic syndrome during 10-year follow-up for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A renal biopsy sample analysis revealed IgG1-lambda-positive monoclonal immunotactoid glomerulopathy (mITG). The patient was treated with ibrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and complete renal remission was achieved after 24 months. ITG is a rare disease that is characterized by glomerular deposition. In particular, mITG, which presents immune deposits that exhibit light-chain restriction, is often associated with hematologic disorders. Most patients with mITG receive immunosuppressive therapy and/or chemotherapy; however, to our knowledge, there have been no reports of treatment with ibrutinib.

#1494 Immunotactoid glomerulopathy: a comprehensive analysis of three cases

Abstract Background Immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG) is an uncommon cause of glomerular disease encountered in approximately 0.06% of native kidney biopsies. This fibrillary disease is strongly associated with haematologic disorders, including lymphoma (mainly chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma), monoclonal gammopathy, and multiple myeloma. It is usually managed with oral steroids and/or treatment of an underlying lymphoproliferative disorder. Here, we report three cases of ITG, all female patients with varying severity of the disease, timing of malignancy and required treatment. Case Scenarios: Case 1: A 76-year-old lady with no significant medical background presented in May 2020 with confusion and progressive peripheral oedema. She had AKI (serum creatinine 210 µmol/L from baseline 68 µmol/L) and a sodium of 104 mmol/l. Urine PCR was 1182 mg/mmol. She was admitted to the ITU, where hyponatraemia was managed with a good clinical response. Blood screening showed negative immune, myeloma and virology screens. Complement was low. A renal biopsy showed a diagnosis of ITG. She had an extensive malignancy screen, but no malignancy was detected. She was started on prednisolone 60 mg once daily and eventually weaned off the drug by March 2021, as she maintained remission of her disease. Two years after her initial presentation, she was seen by the ophthalmologist for a right lacrimal gland mass. This was excised, and a biopsy revealed a MALT Lymphoma. Case 2: A 50-year-old lady with splenomegaly being investigated under the haematology service was referred to our renal clinic for proteinuria in June 2019. Her serum creatinine was within normal limits, and her UPCR was 302 mg/mmol. She had no paraprotein in her blood, low serum immunoglobulins, low C3 and a negative viral screen. Perindopril, initiated by her GP, was up-titrated. Renal biopsy revealed features in keeping with Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy, and completed haematological investigations revealed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. Her UPCR peaked at 842 mg/mmol before reducing to 190 mg/mmol within a year after treatment with Veneclotax and Rituximab after not tolerating FCR (Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide, Rituximab) Chemotherapy. Case 3: A 69-year-old lady presented to the renal clinic with proteinuria in September 2018. She had a background of breast cancer diagnosed in 2007 (She had surgical resection followed by radiotherapy). Her 24-hour urine protein was 2g, and UPCR was 155 mg/mmol. Serum creatinine was 81 µmol/l and eGFR 66 ml/min. P- ANCA was positive, while PR3 and ANA were negative. She had bilateral leg oedema due to long-standing lymphedema. The biopsy report showed immunotactoid glomerulopathy. Regular surveillance of previous breast cancer with mammography and CT-CAP has shown no evidence of malignancy recurrence, hepatitis virology and paraprotein were negative, and C3/C4 were within normal limits. She had improved UPCR and maintained normal kidney function on full-dose Losartan. Conclusion Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy is a rare form of glomerular disease with a strong association with lymphoproliferative malignancies, which may precede, occur concomitantly or present years after the initial diagnosis. This common association highlights the need for diligence in screening for malignancy in each case, and it is a reason for careful follow-up of these patients. Treatment of underlying disorders is associated with positive renal outcomes, and in some cases, there is a good response to steroids.

#2991 Two cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated immunotactoid glomerulopathy: variable clinical presentation, close hematological collaboration

Abstract Background and Aims Immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG) is a very rare disease, observable in less than 0.1% of native kidney biopsy samples. It is most often associated with hematological diseases. We confirmed ITG in two cases among our 850 kidney biopsy patients in the past 9 years. In both patients, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was the underlying cause. Method Case 1, a 56-year-old man was admitted due to severely increased proteinuria (2 g/day) with preserved renal function, while case 2, a 57-year-old-man was referred with rapidly decreasing eGFR (20 ml/min/1.73m2) with nephrotic syndrome (serum albumin level was 24 g/l). In case 1, no previous history of hematological disease was known, in case 2, CLL - that did not require treatment - was diagnosed half a year before admission. He still had no kidney involvement even 3 months after the CLL diagnosis. We performed kidney biopsy. Light microscopy revealed mesangial proliferative-atypical membranous pattern in case 1, and membranoproliferative pattern in case 2. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed IgG1-lambda deposition, electron microscopy confirmed the organised deposits, microtubular structures with a diameter of 44 nanometers in both cases. Neither monoclonal gammopathy nor systemic immune disease was confirmed. In case 2, low titer ANA positivity, low C3 and high anti-C1q antibody titer was detected, lupus nephritis was ruled out. Previously, lymphocyte count was slightly increased in case 1, CLL was confirmed after kidney biopsy. The immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene somatic hypermutation status was borderline in case 1, while in the other case it was unmutated. Fluorescein in situ hybridisation revealed trisomy 12 in both cases. In case 1, chemotherapy was not used due to Rai stage 0, and with appropriate antihypertensive treatment, we could preserve kidney function, and proteinuria was persistently low (below 1 g/day). In case 2, due to Rai stage 1, and progressive renal and lymph node involvement, immunochemotherapy was started (obinutuzumab-venetoclax). Three months later eGFR stabilized at 27 ml/min/1.73 m2, proteinuria decreased below 1 g/day, the C3 level normalized. Conclusion ITG can develop in the early stages of CLL, but it can also indicate CLL progression. The light microscopy histological pattern and, in parallel, the clinical appearance can be of varying severity. Immunochemotherapy resulting reduction of CLL tumor burden and cessation of complement damage, both play a role of improving renal status. Our cases also draw attention to the need for close collaboration with hematologists.

#2284 Clinical characteristics and renal survival of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS)

Abstract Background and Aims Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) comprises a diverse group of renal disorders related to a nephrotoxic monoclonal immunoglobulin. Due to the rarity of the disease and the recent definition of MGRS-associated kidney lesions, data about long-term clinical outcomes remain limited. Method A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted including data of all patients with biopsy-proven MGRS who were followed at our center between 2005 and 2023. We examined the clinicopathologic characteristics and renal survival of the patients. Disease progression was defined as an eGFR decline >30% or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between clinical features and disease progression. Results A total of 23 adults (males 43.5%) with a median age of 65 years (IQR 55-70) were included in our study. At presentation, median eGFR was 51 ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 40-80) and proteinuria 3.94 g/24 h (IQR 2.00-6.26). Serum or urine monoclonal protein was not detected in 4 patients (18.2%). MGRS-associated renal lesions included Ig-related amyloidosis (n = 8), monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (n = 7), cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis (n = 2), C3 glomerulopathy (n = 2), proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits (n = 1), immunotactoid glomerulopathy (n = 1) and miscellaneous (n = 2). Most patients were treated with a plasma cell-directed regimen (77.3%) and the rest with B-cell-directed (13.6%) or conservative therapy (9.1%). Median follow-up for the cohort was 45 months (IQR 27-67). Thirteen patients responded to treatment (52.1%), achieving a reduction in proteinuria (0.44 vs 3.94 g/24 h, p:001) and maintenance of eGFR (60 vs 56 ml/min, p:0.363) at the last follow-up visit. All responders had received clone-directed therapy. Disease progression occurred in 8 patients (34.8%), three of whom reached ESKD (13.0%). Renal survival, defined as survival without ESKD, was 84.6% at 48 months (CI 73.3-101.7). Factors that were associated with disease progression were Ig-related amyloidosis (HR: 6.94, CI: 1.30-36.84, p:0.023) and eGFR < 45 ml/min at diagnosis (HR: 14.73, CI: 1.62-132.95, p:0.017). Conclusion MGRS is a heterogeneous clinical entity manifesting with varying degrees of proteinuria and kidney injury. Impaired kidney function at diagnosis and Ig-related amyloidosis correlated with worse renal prognosis in our cohort. Early identification and clone-directed treatment of MGRS may improve long-term renal survival.

A Rare Case of Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy Associated with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance and Potential Multiorgan Involvement

The term MGRS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance) is a newly recognized entity characterized by the renal deposition of a monoclonal protein. It arises in the context of hematologic disorders that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for plasma cell dyscrasias or lymphoma. Numerous disease entities fall under the MGRS category, each associated with a specific type of monoclonal protein that causes renal injury. This category also includes Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy (ITG), a rare glomerular disorder identified by the existence of immunoglobulin deposits in the glomeruli. These deposits have a substructural arrangement resembling microtubules with diameters ranging from 15 to 50 nm with a hollow center and organized in parallel arrays. Patients diagnosed with MGRS should undergo treatment targeting the clone producing the nephrotoxic monoclonal immunoglobulin. This is essential in preventing renal failure, as well as the progression to more advanced monoclonal gammopathies. We present the case of a 49-year-old female diagnosed with ITG associated with monoclonal gammopathy. The condition followed an indolent course for approximately 8 years before the diagnosis. At the time of presentation to the hematologist, she also exhibited a macular skin eruption and peripheral nerve impairment Except for the renal biopsy, other biopsies were not performed. However, during treatment and post-treatment, we observed an improvement and even the disappearance of cutaneous lesions, as well as a clinical improvement in neurological symptoms. These observations suggest a potential multiorgan involvement in the context of monoclonal gammopathy.

Glomerulopathies with Fibrillary Deposits.

The glomerulopathies associated with the deposition of extracellular fibrils in the glomeruli are subdivided into Congo red positive (amyloidosis) and Congo red negative (non-amyloidotic glomerulopathies) based on Congo red staining. The non-amyloidotic glomerulopathies are divided into immunoglobulin-derived and non-immunoglobulin-derived glomerulopathies. The immunoglobulin-derived glomerulopathies: fibrillary glomerulopathy (FGn) and immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG) are rare glomerulopathies. The diagnosis of fibrillary-immunotactoid glomerulopathy depends on electron microscopy, which shows the presence of microfibrils in the glomeruli. The microfibrils in FGn are randomly arranged with diameters less than 30 nm. The microfibrils in ITG are larger than 30 nm with a visible lumen (microtubules), focally arranged in parallel bundles. Patients with fibrillary-immunotactoid glomerulopathy present with proteinuria (usually in the nephrotic range), microscopic hematuria, arterial hypertension, and chronic kidney disease that progresses to kidney failure over months to years. Currently, there are no guidelines for the treatment of fibrillary-immunotactoid glomerulopathy, although immunotactoid glomerulopathy could be associated with underlying hematologic disorders with the need for clone-directed therapy.

Proteomic Analysis of Complement Proteins in Glomerular Diseases

Complement plays an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis (GN). Even though the underlying etiology of GN might be different, complement activation with subsequent glomerular deposition of complement proteins result in glomerular injury and progression of the lesions. Routine immunofluorescence microscopy (IF) includes staining for only complement factors C3c and C1q. Therefore, with regard to evaluation of the complement pathways, routine kidney biopsy provides only limited information. In this study, using laser microdissection of glomeruli followed by mass spectrometry, complement proteins and pathways involved in GN were analyzed. We found that C3 followed by C9 are the most abundant complement proteins in GN, indicating activation of classical or lectin or alternative, and terminal pathways, either exclusively or in a combination of pathways. Furthermore, depending on the type of GN, C4A and/or C4B were also present. Therefore, membranous nephropathy (MN), fibrillary GN, and infection-related GN showed C4A dominant pathways, whereas lupus nephritis (LN), proliferative GN with monoclonal Ig deposits, monoclonal Ig deposition disease (MIDD), and immunotactoid glomerulopathy showed C4B dominant pathways. Significant deposition of complement regulatory proteins, factor H-related protein-1 (FHR-1) and factor H-related protein-5 (FHR-5), were also detected in most GN. This study shows accumulation of specific complement proteins in GN. The complement pathways, complement proteins, and the amount of complement protein deposition are variable in different types of GN. Selective targeting of complement pathways may be a novel option in the treatment of GN.

PS-BPR03-1: DIAGNOSIS OF MONOCLONAL IMMUNOTACTOID GLOMERULOPATHY WITH POSITIVE LAMBDA CHAIN BY IMMUNOELECTRON MICROSCOPY

We report a case of a 73 year old man who developed immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG). ITG is a rare disease characterized by proliferative glomerulonephritis and capillary wall deposits with a 10 to 60 nm diameter microtubular substructure. Recent reviews recommend distinguishing monoclonal ITG from polyclonal ITG because monoclonal ITG is associated with a higher incidence of hematological disorders and better responsiveness to clone-directed therapy and renal prognosis. In monoclonal ITG, immunofluorescence analysis typically exhibits IgG with light chain restriction, most often kappa chain restriction. This is the first reported case of a monoclonal ITG, positive only for the lambda chain detected by immunoelectron microscopy. At 6 months after his renal biopsy, the IgG lambda chain was detected in the serum and urine, reflecting possible monoclonality. We would like to present the usefulness of immunoelectron microscopy using biopsy samples as well as protein electrophoresis/ immunofixation using serum and urine samples to diagnose monoclonal ITG, even when routine immunofluorescence shows negative or nonspecific findings. Conclusions: It is important to distinguish monoclonal ITG from polyclonal ITG. Immunoelectron microscopy is useful as a salvage technique to diagnose monoclonal ITG.

Clinicopathological manifestations of coexistent monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease and immunotactoid glomerulopathy.

Combination of monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) and immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG) is a rare form of monoclonal immunoglobulin (MIg)-associated renal disease. We retrospectively reviewed the native kidney biopsy specimens at Peking University People’s Hospital from 2011 to 2020. Five patients were diagnosed as MIDD + ITG. Their clinical and pathological characteristics were studied. The typical clinical features were nephritic syndrome and renal dysfunction with prominent anemia, but hematuria was mild. Unlike single MIDD and single ITG, on light microscopy, segmentally distributed mesangial nodular sclerosis on the basis of mesangial matrix hyperplasia was the major lesion. Others including membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN)-like lesion, glomerular basement membrane thickness, and mild to moderate mesangial and endothelial proliferations might presented at the same time and in the same glomeruli. On immunofluorescence, MIg, usually monoclonal light chains, deposited along glomerular basement membranes and tubular basement membranes, while the intact MIg or monoclonal heavy chain deposited in the mesangial regions. Corresponding to the depositions on immunofluorescence, punctate “powdery” deposits along glomerular basement membranes and tubular basement membranes under electronic microscopy indicated the presence of MIDD. Microtubular substructures (diameters of 20–50 nm) exhibiting hollow cores arranged in parallel arrays in mesangial regions indicated the presence of ITG. Patients treated with bortezomib-based regimen seemed to have better outcomes. In conclusion, MIDD + ITG is a rare combination form of MIg-associated renal disease. Accurate diagnosis requires the comprehensive pathological investigations.

Novel approaches beyond standard immunofluorescence for kidney biopsies.

Immunofluorescence on frozen tissue (IF-F) utilizing antibodies against immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy and light chains (IgA, IgG and IgM, kappa and lambda) and components of classical and alternative complement pathways (C1q, C3c and C4) is the standard of renal pathology. However, conventional IF-F has limitations, particularly in nephropathies associated with organized and/or monoclonal Ig deposits. This review will discuss new applications of established methods beyond conventional IF-F and recent novel immunohistochemical methods. The combined application of paraffin immunofluorescence (IF-P) and IgG subtype staining excluded monotypic deposits in 62-66% of DNA J homolog subfamily B member 9-associated fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) with apparent monotypic deposits by IF-F, whereas IF-P unmasks IgG deposits in a subset of cases of immunotactoid glomerulopathy. A novel IF technique targeting epitopes at the junction of the Ig heavy and light chains was introduced and unmasked polytypic deposits in a subset of glomerulonephritis with apparent monotypic deposits on IF-F. A recent study described the successful application of co-detection by indexing (CODEX) multiplexed IF to visualize more than a dozen target antigens within a single kidney tissue section. Finally, immunohistochemical protocols for detection of the novel antigens in membranous nephropathy have already entered the clinical practice of renal pathology. Novel ancillary techniques in renal pathology have the potential to significantly enhance our ability to evaluate renal biopsies.

MO444MACROPHAGE DENSITIES CORRELATE WITH LONG-TERM FUNCTION IN PAUCI-IMMUNE AND MEMBRANOUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS AS WELL AS IN HYPERTENSIVE NEPHROPATHY

Abstract Background and Aims Macrophages and monocytes are main players in innate immunity. In renal diseases, their role is poorly understood. Our multicentric cross-sectional study aimed to study the prevalence of macrophages and monocytes in various human native kidney diseases. For this, we used precise pixel-based digital quantification of their densities in renal biopsies and correlated our findings with clinical data. Method We included 324 patients, who underwent a diagnostic renal biopsy. Additional normal kidney samples from 16 tumour nephrectomies were used as controls. According to the diagnosed diseases, we established 17 patient groups. Biopsies were stained for CD68+-macrophages using automated immunohistochemistry (Ventana Ultra) and selected groups were further subtyped for CD14+-monocytes and CD163+-M2-macrophages (67 cases, pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (PIGN), IgA-nephropathy (IgAN) and control samples). Digitized sections (Leica) were analysed using the open-source software QuPath to quantify cell densities (positively stained areas displayed as percentages of ROI) in renal cortex, medulla and extrarenal tissue, respectively. Detailed clinical and laboratory data at timepoint of biopsy were available for all patients. Additional data for follow-up were achievable in 158 cases. Results Renal disease samples presented higher mean macrophage densities compared to control cases (CD68: cortex 1.2 vs. 0.2%, p<0.001, medulla 0.8 vs. 0.04%, p<0.001; CD163: cortex 3.2 vs. 0.5%, p<0.001, medulla 2.3 vs. 0.6%, p<0.05), but CD14+-density did not differ between patients and control samples. The highest cortical CD68+-density occurred in PIGN (1.98%) and in medulla in ascending infections (1.86%). The lowest cortical CD68+-densities were measured in thin basal membrane syndrome / Alport-syndrome (0.56%) and in medulla in immunotactoid and fibrillary glomerulopathy (0.26%). Chronic kidney disease displayed lower percentages of CD68+-densities (cortex: 1.15%; medulla: 0.49%) compared to acute kidney injury (cortex: 1.84%, p<0.001; medulla: 1.08%, p<0.001) and acute on chronic kidney injury (cortex: 1.81%, p<0.001; medulla: 1.43%, p<0.001). We detected a correlation of CD68+- and CD163+-infiltration with kidney function (eGFR) in cortex and medulla at the time of biopsy (CD68: r=-0.51 for cortex, r=-0.60 for medulla; CD163: r=-0.71 for cortex, r=-0.73 for medulla; p<0.001) and follow up (CD68: r=-0.41 for cortex, r=-0.34 for medulla, p<0.001; CD163: r=-0.46 for cortex, r=-0.50 for medulla, p<0.05). Older patients (>64 years) showed a higher medullary M2-infiltration (1.81% vs. 4.34%, p<0.005). The eGFR at the time of biopsy inversely correlated (p<0.05) with cortical CD68+-density in IgAN (r=-0.39), PIGN (r=-0.53), membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN; r=-0.70), focal segmental glomerulonephritis (r=-0.63), and hypertensive nephropathy (HNP; r=-0.44). At follow-up, this correlation (p<0.05) was still present in PIGN (r=-0.43), MGN (r=-0.58), and HNP (r=-0.77). In PIGN, cortical CD163+-density and eGFR were associated (p<0.001) at timepoint of biopsy (r=-0.51) and follow-up (r=-0.51). Particularly, cANCA-vasculitis showed a strong correlation between eGFR and cortical CD68+- as well as CD163+-densities at time of biopsy (CD68: r=-0.78; CD163: r=-0.75, p<0.001) and also for follow-up (CD68: r=-0.48; CD163: r=-0.68, p<0.05). Conclusion Macrophages may promote progression of human renal diseases, whereas monocytes do not correlate with eGFR-decline. Especially, in cANCA- vasculitis CD163+- infiltration is associated with renal outcome. Additional studies are needed to investigate, whether macrophages can serve as predictive markers or therapeutical targets in native renal diseases.

Immunotactoid glomerulopathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy

Immunotactoid glomerulopathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy

Untangling immunotactoid glomerulopathy in the MGRS era

Immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG) is a rare disease diagnosed by kidney biopsy showing characteristic microtubules, often in parallel arrays, in glomeruli on electron microscopy. Most cases are caused by lymphoproliferative disorders that produce monoclonal immunoglobulins that cause kidney damage, but these disorders do not meet criteria for overt malignancy. The published literature on ITG is limited. In this issue of Kidney International, 2 manuscripts provide significant insight into the clinical presentation, pathology, and treatment of ITG.

Immunotactoid glomerulopathy is a rare entity with monoclonal and polyclonal variants

Immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG) is a rare form of glomerulonephritis for which our understanding is limited to case reports and small case series. Herein we describe the clinical, pathologic, and outcome characteristics of 73 patients with ITG who typically presented with proteinuria, hematuria, and renal insufficiency. Hematologic disorders were present in 66% of patients, including lymphoma in 41% (mainly chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma), monoclonal gammopathy in 20%, and multiple myeloma in 6%. Light microscopy revealed endocapillary proliferative (35%), membranoproliferative (29%) and membranous (29%) patterns of glomerular involvement. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic microtubular deposits with a diameter of 14-60 nm, hollow cores, frequent parallel alignment, and a predominant distribution outside of the lamina densa of the glomerular basement membrane. Importantly, immunofluorescence revealed IgG-dominant staining which was light chain and IgG subclass restricted in 67% of cases, indicating monoclonal composition. This finding was used to distinguish monoclonal and polyclonal variants of ITG. As compared to polyclonal, monoclonal ITG had a higher incidence of lymphoma (53% vs. 11%), multiple myeloma (8% vs. 0), and monoclonal gammopathy (22% vs. 16%). Monoclonal ITG was more commonly treated with clone-directed therapy, which was associated with more frequent remission and less frequent end stage kidney disease. Thus, a third of ITG cases are polyclonal but a quarter of these cases are associated with hematologic conditions, underscoring the need for hematologic evaluation in all patients with ITG. Hence, based on these distinctions, ITG should be subclassified into monoclonal and polyclonal variants. Prognosis of ITG is good if the underlying hematologic condition is treated.

Results of a nation-wide cohort study suggest favorable long-term outcomes of clone-targeted chemotherapy in immunotactoid glomerulopathy

Immunotactoid glomerulopathy is a rare disease defined by glomerular microtubular immunoglobulin deposits. Since management and long-term outcomes remain poorly described, we retrospectively analyzed results of 27 adults from 21 departments of nephrology in France accrued over 19 years. Inclusion criteria were presence of glomerular Congo red-negative monotypic immunoglobulin deposits with ultrastructural microtubular organization, without evidence for cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. Baseline manifestations of this cohort included: proteinuria (median 6.0 g/day), nephrotic syndrome (70%), microscopic hematuria (74%) and hypertension (56%) with a median serum creatinine of 1.5 mg/dL. Nineteen patients had detectable serum and/or urine monoclonal gammopathy. A bone marrow and/or peripheral blood clonal disorder was identified in 18 cases (16 lymphocytic and 2 plasmacytic disorders). Hematologic diagnosis was chronic/small lymphocytic lymphoma in 13, and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance in 14 cases. Kidney biopsy showed atypical membranous in 16 or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 11 cases, with microtubular monotypic IgG deposits (kappa in 17 of 27 cases), most commonly IgG1. Identical intracytoplasmic microtubules were observed in clonal lymphocytes from 5 of 10 tested patients. Among 21 patients who received alkylating agents, rituximab-based or bortezomib-based chemotherapy, 18 achieved a kidney response. After a median follow-up of 40 months, 16 patients had sustained kidney response, 7 had reached end-stage kidney disease, and 6 died. Chronic/small lymphocytic lymphoma appears as a common underlying condition in immunotactoid glomerulopathy, but clonal detection remains inconstant with routine techniques in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance. Thus, early diagnosis and hematological response after clone-targeted chemotherapy was associated with favorable outcomes. Hence, thorough pathologic and hematologic workup is key to the management of immunotactoid glomerulopathy.

Treatment of Non-Amyloid Monoclonal Gammopathies of Renal Significance (MGRS) with Clone Directed Therapies-Single Center Experience

Background: MGRS is a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by renal dysfunction related to monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition where the underlying plasma cell or B cell clone does not cause tumor complications or meets current hematological criteria for specific therapy (1). The diagnosis of these disorders is established by renal biopsy demonstrating glomerular or tubulointerstitial monoclonal protein deposition. The glomerular disorders include proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal Ig deposition (PGNMID), paraprotein associated C3 glomerulopathy, immunotactoid glomerulopathy, and paraprotein associated fibrillary glomerulonephritis and Type 1 cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. The tubulointerstitial disorders include fanconi syndrome and proximal light chain tubulopathy (2). Given the pathogenesis of the disorders, therapies targeting the underlying plasma cell and/or B cell clone have been used in the past but standard therapy has not been established. Given the rarity of MGRS as defined above, we report our single center experience for therapy of such disorders. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients treated for MGRS at Columbia University Medical Center and collected information on the renal pathologic diagnosis, presence or absence of monoclonal gammopathy and therapy and response. The diagnosis of MGUS and MGRS was based on standard criteria (3). For the assessment of renal response, we used criteria for renal organ response for AL amyloidosis (4). Results: A total of 8 patients were treated at our center for MGRS between 3/2015 and 1/2019. The type of MGRS diagnosis was PGNMID in 5 patients, C3 glomerulopathy in 1 patient, immunotactoid GN in 1 patient and MGUS associated dense deposit disease (DDD) in 1 patient. Monoclonal Ig deposit was IgG kappa type in 3, IgG Lambda in 2, IgM lambda in 1 patient and only Complement deposits C3 glomerulopathy and DDD. All pts had proteinuria at diagnosis with median proteinuria 4g/24hr (range 2.8-11.7g/24hr). Impaired renal function was present 5/8 pts with median serum creatinine 1.4mg/dl (range 1-4.6). None of the patients with PGNMID (N=5) had a concurrent monoclonal gammopathy by standard testing but the rest 3 patients had MGUS with positive SPEP and bone marrow involvement by a clonal plasma cells. First line treatment regimens included use of Bortezomib based regimen (Bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone) in 3 patients, Rituximab based regimens (Rituximab, Prednisone and Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, prednisone) in 4 patients and Daratumumab in one patient. Second line Daratumumab based therapy was used in 2 patients who did not respond to the first line therapy and lead to response in one patient. Improvement in proteinuria was seen in 6/8 patients with >30% decrease in proteinuria (range 50-90% reduction). The median time to response was 2 months (range 1-4 months). Improvement in eGFR was seen in 1/8 patients but majority of patients continuing to have stable eGFR and 1/8 patient progressed to ESRD. The responses were durable and after a median follow-up of 11.8 months only one patient had recurrent disease. Conclusion: Currently there is no standard of care therapy for treatment of patients diagnosed with MGRS disorders. Clone directed therapies including Bortezomib, Daratumumab and Rituximab based regimens aimed at suppressing the production of the involved immunoglobulin are effective for treatment of these disorders both in the presence and absence of a concurrent MGUS. These therapies should be explored further in a larger prospective multi-center trial for MGRS disorders.

HCV-Associated Nephropathies in the Era of Direct Acting Antiviral Agents.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a systemic disorder that frequently associates with extrahepatic manifestations, including nephropathies. Cryoglobulinemia is a typical extrahepatic manifestation of HCV infection that often involves kidneys with a histological pattern of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Other, less common renal diseases related to HCV infection include membranous nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, IgA nephropathy, fibrillary and immunotactoid glomerulopathy. Over the last decades, the advent of direct-acting antiviral therapies has revolutionized treatment of HCV infection, dramatically increasing the rates of viral clearance. In patients where antiviral therapy alone fails to induce renal disease remission add-on B-cell depleting agents represent an alternative to counteract the synthesis of pathogenic antibodies. Immunosuppressive therapies, such as steroids, alkylating agents, and plasma exchanges, may still represent an effective option to inhibit immune-complex driven inflammatory response, but the potentially associated increase of HCV replication and worsening of liver disease represent a serious limitation to their use.

Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Deposition Disease and Related Diseases.

Abnormal proliferation of plasma cells and some monoclonal B cells frequently cause the secretion of monoclonal immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments into the serum, causing monoclonal gammopathy, which leads to various diseases including renal diseases. Therefore, monoclonal gammopathy is frequently associated with kidney diseases, including glomerular and tubulointerstitial diseases. Glomerular disease, with the deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulins or their components, includes monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD), AL or AH amyloidosis, type I cryoglobulinemia, proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits (PGNMID), immunotactoid glomerulopathy, and fibrillary glomerulonephritis. In addition, tubulointerstitial diseases with the deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulins or their components are constituted by light chain (myeloma) cast nephropathy, light chain associated Fanconi's syndrome (light chain proximal [crystal] tubulopathy), and crystal-storing histiocytosis. In the present review article, we demonstrate the clinicopathological characteristics of MIDD, which is one of the representative diseases of plasma cell dyscrasias, and discuss various renal diseases with the deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulins or their components in glomeruli and the tubulointerstitium. We recommend that these renal diseases are arranged as one disease category, "renal diseases with deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulins or their components", in order to simplify the understanding of complicated diseases in plasma cell dysplasia.

The Complexity and Heterogeneity of Monoclonal Immunoglobulin-Associated Renal Diseases.

Monoclonal gammopathies are characterized by the overproduction of monoclonal Ig (MIg) detectable in the serum or urine resulting from a clonal proliferation of plasma cells or B lymphocytes. The underlying hematologic conditions range from malignant neoplasms of plasma cells or B lymphocytes, including multiple myeloma and B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, to nonmalignant small clonal proliferations. The term MGUS implies presence of an MIg in the setting of a "benign" hematologic condition without renal or other end organ damage. The term MGRS was recently introduced to indicate monoclonal gammopathy with MIg-associated renal disease in the absence of hematologic malignancy. Most MIg-associated renal diseases result from the direct deposition of nephrotoxic MIg or its light- or heavy-chain fragments in various renal tissue compartments. Immunofluorescence microscopy is essential to identify the offending MIg and define its tissue distribution. Mass spectrometry is helpful in difficult cases. Conditions caused by direct tissue deposition of MIg include common disorders, such as cast nephropathy, amyloidosis, and MIg deposition diseases, as well as uncommon disorders, such as immunotactoid glomerulopathy, proliferative GN with MIg deposits, light-chain proximal tubulopathy, and the rare entities of crystal-storing histiocytosis and crystalglobulinemia. Indirect mechanisms of MIg-induced renal disease can cause C3 glomerulopathy or thrombotic microangiopathy without tissue MIg deposits. Treatment of MIg-associated renal disease is aimed at eliminating the clonal plasma cell or B-cell population as appropriate. Both the renal and the underlying hematologic disorders influence the management and prognosis of MIg-associated renal diseases.

115 Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy Leading to the Diagnosis of Marginal Zone Lymphoma

115 Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy Leading to the Diagnosis of Marginal Zone Lymphoma