BACKGROUND Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a major cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in childhood with a central role for the podocytes in the pathogenesis. Mutated proteins expressed in podocytes cause proteinuria. The role of combined gene defects in the development of FSGS is less clear. METHODS We analysed seven podocyte genes known to cause proteinuria and FSGS i...

Mutations in NPHS1, which encodes nephrin, are the main causes of congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) in Finnish patients, whereas mutations in NPHS2, which encodes podocin, are typically responsible for childhood-onset steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in European populations. Genotype-phenotype correlations are not well understood in non-Finnish patients. We evaluated the clinical presenta...

BACKGROUND Several Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) polymorphisms alter the homeostasis to an abnormal state. Similarly, other genes such as Nephrin (NPHS1) and Podocin (NPHS2) contribute to the loss of renal function during renal diseases. In Indian population, studies in RAS and other renal specific gene polymorphisms in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients are scanty. METHODS We examined 11...

Multiple studies have linked podocyte gene variants to diverse sporadic nephropathies, including HIV-1-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). We previously used linkage analysis to identify a major HIVAN susceptibility locus in mouse, HIVAN1. We performed expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis of podocyte genes in HIV-1 transgenic mice to gain further insight into genetic susceptibility t...

Background. The polymorphism R229Q is one of the most commonly reported podocin sequence variations among steroid-resistant nephrotic syndromes (SRNS). Aim of the Study. We investigated the frequency and risk of this polymorphism among a group of Iraqi children with SRNS and steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). Patients and Methods. A prospective case control study which was conducted i...

To the Editor, Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) is an autosomal recessive, the most frequent and clinically heterogeneous renal disease. The disease is defined by childhood onset of heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, edema, and minimal glomerular changes. Mutations of NPHS2 gene, encoding glomerular protein podocin are a major cause of autosomal-recessive steroid resistant n...

Introduction: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) can be caused by mutations in the genes NPHS2, ACTN4, TRPC6, and INF2 among others, presenting variable levels of proteinuria, including nephrotic syndrome, that frequently progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The establishment genotype-phenotype correlation expressed podocyte could contribute understanding their role FSGS decision-...

OBJECTIVES Familial steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is rare, and only approximately 3% of patients have affected siblings. METHODS Herein, we report seven cases of patients with steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome from three Chinese families. Mutational screening of the Nphs2 gene was performed in all the patients. RESULTS All seven of the familial steroid-sensit...

BACKGROUND Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a clinical state characterized by massive proteinuria and excessive fluid retention. The effects of early versus late treatment with low or high doses of oral everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, on proteinuria in NS have not been previously described. METHODS The effects of early treatment (2 days prior to NS induction) versus late trea...