Nephropathy In Chinese Population Research Articles

Target Antigens of Membranous Nephropathy With Syphilis Infection

IntroductionMembranous nephropathy is the most common cause of proteinuria in syphilis, and neuron-derived neurotrophic factor (NDNF) is recently demonstrated to be the target antigen in syphilis-associated membranous nephropathy. However, the prevalence and clinicopathological characteristics of both NDNF-positive and NDNF-negative membranous nephropathy in Chinese individuals with syphilis infection still remain unknown. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in 17 membranous nephropathy patients with history of syphilis infection. The intensity and distribution of NDNF staining, as well as phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and neural epidermal growth factor-like 1 protein (NELL-1) staining in renal biopsies were assessed. ResultsAmong the 11 membranous nephropathy patients with active syphilis infection, positive NDNF staining was shown in 5 patients (46%). The remaining six patients demonstrated negative NDNF staining. Of which, 5 patients were PLA2R positive and the other one was PLA2R and NELL-1 negative. Antibiotics were also effective in three NDNF-negative patients, suggesting the possibility of syphilis-associated membranous nephropathy. Thus, the histological positivity rate of NDNF was 63% (5/8 patients) in syphilis-associated membranous nephropathy. In addition, positive NDNF antibody was first confirmed in the serum of one NDNF associated membranous nephropathy patient. NDNF staining was negative in all 6 membranous nephropathy patients with previous syphilis infection. ConclusionsNearly half of the patients with active syphilis infection and membranous nephropathy were NDNF-positive in our study. Positive NDNF staining favors syphilis-associated membranous nephropathy. Circulating anti-NDNF antibody can be detected in the patient’s serum sample. In addition, PLA2R or other unknown antigenic protein may also be the target antigens for syphilis-associated membranous nephropathy in Chinese population.

The Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Polymorphism is Associated with the Susceptibility to Immunoglobulin a Nephropathy in Chinese Population

Background/Aims: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is one of the most important enzymes for producting nitric oxide (NO), which regulate the function of many organs and cells. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of eNOS were found to be associated with many kidney diseases. However, it is lack of relevant studies to evaluate the associations between eNOS polymorphisms and immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). This case-control study aimed to evaluate the relationship between eNOS polymorphisms and IgAN. Methods: We recruited 351 IgAN patients and 310 age- and sex-matched healthy controls from Northwest China. Sequenom MassARRAY was used to detect the genotypes of two common eNOS SNPs (rs1799983 and rs2070744). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the Chi square test to evaluate the associations between eNOS and IgAN. Phase 2.1 was used to conduct haplotype analysis. Results: In the overall analysis, we found that the rs1799983 polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of IgAN (G/T vs. G/G: OR=0.57, 95%CI=0.34–0.96; G/T+T/T vs. G/G: OR=0.52, 95%CI=0.31–0.86; G/T vs. G/G-T/T: OR=0.60, 95%CI=0.36–0.99; Log-additive model: OR=0.48, 95%CI=0.30–0.78). Haplotype analysis indicated that T_rs1799983C_rs2070744 is a protective factor against IgAN (OR=0.62, 95%CI=0.42––0.92). However, no significant differences were found between the two SNPs (rs1799983 and rs2070744) and clinical features (age, sex, blood pressure, and Lee’s grade) of IgAN. Conclusion: The eNOS gene rs1799983 polymorphism and T_rs1799983C_rs2070744 haplotype may reduce the risk of IgAN in Chinese populations.

Erratum to: Association of ELMO1 gene polymorphisms with diabetic nephropathy in Chinese population

Erratum to: Association of ELMO1 gene polymorphisms with diabetic nephropathy in Chinese population

Association of ELMO1 gene polymorphisms with diabetic nephropathy in Chinese population.

Genetic variations in the engulfment and cell motility 1 (ELMO1) gene have recently been identified to be associated with nephropathy attributed to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since T2DM-associated complications are proved to be more common among Asians than Western individuals, and Chinese people have a high incidence of diabetic nephropathy (DN), this study sought to analyze the association of ELMO1 gene polymorphisms with DN to probe into the effects of ELMO1 gene on susceptibility of DN in Chinese population. We genotyped 6 polymorphism sites of ELMO1 gene in 200 unrelated Chinese subjects (123 T2DM with DN case subjects and 77 T2DM without DN control subjects). Genotyping was detected by a Sequenom MassARRAY genotyping system. The strongest associations in ELMO1 gene with DN occurred at rs741301 [odds ratio (OR) 1.89; p=0.004] and rs10951509 (OR 1.76; p=0.02). Unconditional logistic regression analysis identified that the rs741301 polymorphism (presence of A allele, adjusted OR 3.27; p=0.03) and duration of T2DM (adjusted OR 1.15; p=0.04) were independent predictors for DN. The marker rs741301 located in intron 18 of ELMO1 gene was in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs11769038 (D'=0.91). Furthermore, haplotype analysis identified that haplotype 1 [CAAAGA] (OR 1.95; p=0.01), haplotype 2 [CAAAGG] (OR 0.50; p=0.01), and haplotype 9 [TGCGGG] (OR 0.17; p=0.007) of ELMO1 were significantly associated with DN. This study first investigated the association of ELMO1 gene polymorphisms with DN in a Chinese population, supporting its key role as a candidate gene in the susceptibility of DN.

A family-based association study of megsin A23167G polymorphism with susceptibility and progression of IgA nephropathy in a Chinese population

To investigate the association of megsin A23167G polymorphism with susceptibility and progression of IgA nephropathy in Chinese population. 435 IgA nephropathy patients and their family members were recruited for a family-based association study. Genotypes of megsin A23167G were determined by direct sequencing. The results were analyzed by transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and haplotype relative risk (HRR). Clinical data and histological scores of renal lesions were compared between patients with different genotypes. According to disease stability, IgA nephropathy patients were divided into progressive group and stable group. The distribution of genotype frequencies were compared between the 2 groups. TDT revealed that megsin 23167G alleles were transmitted more frequently from heterozygous parents to patients than expected (classical TDT: chi2 = 5.435, p = 0.020, extended TDT: chi2 = 5.017, p = 0.025). HRR analyses showed significant differences between transmitted and nontransmitted allele frequencies (chi2 = 7.006, p = 0.008, HRR = 1.762). The scores of glomerular index and glomerular sclerosis index were higher in GG genotype patients than those in other genotypes (F = 4.570, p = 0.033, F = 4.324, p = 0.038, respectively). The distribution frequency of GG genotype in the progressive group was higher than that of the stable group (chi2 = 4.370, p = 0.037). No statistical difference was found in tubulo-interstitial index, vascular index and clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. The polymorphism of megsin A23167G is associated with susceptibility and progression of IgA nephropathy in Chinese population. GG genotype is associated with severe histological lesions and progression of the disease.