Klotho deficiency aggravates sepsis-related multiple organ dysfunction

A sepse relacionada à disfunção de múltiplos órgãos é caracterizada por uma intensa resposta inflamatória e um aumento do estresse oxidativo. A lesão renal aguda (LRA) é uma complicação grave e ocorre em aproximadamente metade dos pacientes com choque séptico. Apesar dos avanços no entendimento e tratamento da sepse, as taxas de mortalidade da LRA séptica chegam a 75%, valores ainda inaceitáveis. Mais de 60% dos casos de sepse ocorrem em idosos. A sepse, a lesão renal aguda e a idade avançada são em conjunto uma condição altamente fatal. O Klotho é uma proteína supressora do envelhecimento, com propriedades antioxidantes e que já demonstrou ser nefro-protetora no modelo de lesão renal aguda por iquemia e reperfusão. O papel do Klotho na sepse e na LRA da sepse permanece ainda desconhecido. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar se a redução da expressão de Klotho poderia piorar a evolução da sepse e das suas disfunções orgânicas, em especial a LRA. Para isso utilizamos camundongos heterozigotos haploinsuficientes para gene Klotho (Kl+/-) e seus irmãos de linhagem wild type (WT) divididos em 4 grupos: 1. Grupo Sham-WT: animais WT submetidos à cirurgia com apenas localização ceco; 2. Grupo LPC-WT: animais WT submetidos à cirurgia com ligação e punção do ceco (LPC); 3. Sham-Kl+/-: animais haploinsuficientes para o gene Klotho submetidos à cirurgia com apenas localização ceco; 4. LPC-Kl+/-: animais haploinsuficientes para o gene Klotho submetidos à cirurgia LPC. Inicialmente foi demonstrado que a sepse é um estado de deficiência de Klotho, já que a expressão renal de Klotho diminuiu após a realização da LPC tanto nos animais WT quanto nos Kl+/-comparados com seus respectivos grupos Sham. Os animais LPC-Kl+/- apresentaram uma significativa menor sobrevida quando comparados aos LPC-WT. O grupo LPC-Kl+/- evoluiu com uma LRA mais severa demonstrada por redução do débito urinário, aumento da ureia plasmática e um pior escore de dano tubular renal. Os animais LPC-Kl+/- apresentavam ainda uma piora da perfusão tecidual, evidenciada por um aumento mais significativo do lactato, e também uma maior lesão hepática. A deficiência de Klotho também esteve associada a um aumento do estresse oxidativo, um aumento das citocinas inflamatórias sistêmicas e no tecido renal, bem como a uma maior ativação do NF-kB. Na avaliação hemodinâmica, curiosamente, os camundongos LPC-Kl+/- também apresentaram uma menor variabilidade da frequência cardíaca com menor atividade simpática, um prejuízo na resposta barorreflexa e uma resposta deficiente da pressão arterial à droga vasopressora. Podemos concluir, com os achados desse estudo, que a baixa expressão de Klotho reduz a sobrevida, agrava a sepse e suas disfunções orgânicas por aumentar o estresse oxidativo e a resposta inflamatória. A utilização da proteína Klotho no tratamento da sepse e da lesão renal aguda pode constituir-se uma nova perspectiva terapêutica a ser tentada na prática clínicaSepsis-related multiple organ dysfunction is characterized by an intense inflammatory response and increased oxidative stress. Acute renal injury (AKI) is a serious complication that occurs in approximately half of all patients with septic shock. Despite advances in treatment, sepsis mortality can still be unacceptably high (<= 75%). More than 60% of all cases of sepsis occur in the elderly. Sepsis, AKI, and advanced age appear to be closely related, making for a highly lethal combination. Klotho is an antioxidant-suppressing protein that is known to protect the kidneys in experimental ischemia. The role of Klotho in sepsis and sepsis-induced AKI remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether reduced Klotho expression could worsen the evolution of sepsis and the associated organic dysfunction, especially AKI. To that end, we used Klotho gene (Kl+/-) haploinsufficient heterozygous mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates, divided into 4 groups: CLP-WT, WT mice submitted to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis; Sham-WT, WT mice submitted to surgery with cecum localization only (sham-operated); CLP-Kl+/-, Klotho haploinsufficient mice submitted to CLP; and Sham-Kl+/-, sham-operated Klotho haploinsufficient mice. Initially, sepsis was shown to be a Klotho deficient state, because post-procedure renal expression of Klotho was lower in the CLP-WT and CLP-Kl+/- groups than in the respective control groups. The CLP-Kl+/- group showed significantly lower survival than did the CLP-WT group. Sepsis-induced AKI was more severe in the CLP-Kl+/- group than in the CLP-WT group, the former showing lower urine output, higher plasma urea, and higher renal tubular damage scores. The CLP-Kl+/- mice also showed decreased tissue perfusion, as evidenced by a more significant increase in lactate, together with greater hepatic injury. Klotho deficiency was also associated with increased oxidative stress, increased systemic/renal tissue inflammatory cytokine production, and greater NF-?B activation. We find it curious that, in the hemodynamic evaluation, the CLP-Kl+/- mice had lower heart rate variability with lower sympathetic activity, a poorer baroreflex response, and a lower blood pressure response to vasopressor agents than did the CLP-WT mice. Our findings suggest that low Klotho expression reduces survival and aggravates sepsis, as well as the associated organic dysfunction, by increasing oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. The use of Klotho protein in the treatment of sepsis and sepsis-induced AKI might constitute a new therapeutic strategy to be evaluated in clinical practic

Clinical and histological features of patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis classified by immunofluorescence findings

Abstract Background: New classification for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis has been proposed in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, biochemical, etiology and renal biopsy findings of these patients grouped by immunofluorescence as proposed by the new classification. Methods: Patients with renal biopsy-proven membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis unrelated to systemic lupus erythematosus, diagnosed between 1999 and 2014. The patients were divided according to immunofluorescence: Immunoglobulin positive group, C3 positive only and negative immunofluorescence group. Results: We evaluated 92 patients, the majority of which were in the immunoglobulin positive group. Infectious diseases, hepatitis C virus and schistosomiasis, were the most frequent etiology. A negative immunofluorescence group had more vascular involvement in renal biopsy compare with others groups. Conclusions: The only difference between the groups was higher vascular involvement in renal biopsy in negative immunofluorescence group. These new classification was satisfactory for the finding of etiology in one part of the cases

Urinary CD80 and Serum suPAR as Biomarkers of Glomerular Disease among Adults in Brazil

Introduction: Urinary CD80 has been shown to have good specificity for minimal change disease (MCD) in children. However, the investigation of circulating factors such as soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) as biomarkers of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is quite controversial. The objective of this study was to determine whether urinary CD80 and serum suPAR can be used for the diagnosis of MCD and FSGS, respectively, in the adult population of Brazil. We also attempted to determine whether those biomarkers assess the response to immunosuppressive treatment. Methods: This was a prospective study in which urine and blood samples were collected for analysis of CD80 and suPAR, respectively, only in the moment of renal biopsy, from patients undergoing to diagnostic renal biopsy. At and six months after biopsy, we analyzed serum creatinine, serum albumin, and proteinuria in order to evaluate the use of the CD80 and suPAR collected in diagnosis as markers of response to immunosuppressive treatment. In healthy controls were collected urinary CD80 and proteinuria, serum suPAR, and creatinine. Results: The results of 70 renal biopsies were grouped, by diagnosis, as follows: FSGS (n = 18); membranous nephropathy (n = 14); MCD (n = 5); and other glomerulopathies (n = 33). There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of the urinary CD80 levels, and serum suPAR was not significantly higher in the FSGS group, as would have been expected. Urinary CD80 correlated positively with nephrotic syndrome, regardless of the type of glomerular disease. Neither biomarker correlated with proteinuria at six months after biopsy. Conclusion: In adults, urinary CD80 can serve as a marker of nephrotic syndrome but is not specific for MCD, whereas serum suPAR does not appear to be useful as a diagnostic or treatment response marker

Methimazole-Induced ANCA Vasculitis: A Case Report

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a syndrome which presents rapid loss of renal function. Vasculitis represents one of the major causes, often related to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Herein, we report a case of methimazole-induced ANCA-associated vasculitis. A 35-year-old woman complained of weight loss and fatigue for 2 weeks and attended the emergency room with alveolar hemorrhage. She had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and had been taking methimazole in the past 6 months. Her physical examination showed pulmonary wheezing, hypertension and signs of respiratory failure. Laboratory tests revealed urea 72 mg/dL, creatinine 2.65 mg/dL (eGFR CKD-EPI: 20 mL/min/1.73 m2), urine analysis with &gt;100 red blood cells per high-power field, 24 h-proteinuria: 1.3 g, hemoglobin 6.6 g/dL, white-cell count 7700/mm3, platelets 238,000/mm3, complement within the normal range, negative viral serological tests and ANCA positive 1:80 myeloperoxidase pattern. Chest tomography showed bilateral and diffuse ground-glass opacities, and bronchial washing confirming alveolar hemorrhage. A renal biopsy using light microscopy identified 27 glomeruli (11 with cellular crescentic lesions), focal disruption in glomerular basement membrane and fibrinoid necrosis areas, tubulitis and mild interstitial fibrosis. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed IgG +2/+3, C3 +3/+3 and Fibrinogen +3/+3 in fibrinoid necrosis sites. She was subsequently diagnosed with crescentic pauci-immune glomerulonephritis, mixed class, in the setting of a methimazole-induced ANCA vasculitis. The patient was treated with methimazole withdrawal and immunosuppressed with steroids and cyclophosphamide. Four years after the initial diagnosis, she is currently being treated with azathioprine, and her exams show creatinine 1.30 mg/dL (eGFR CKD-EPI: 52 mL/min/1.73 m2) and negative p-ANCA

Schistosoma mansoni infection as a trigger to collapsing glomerulopathy in a patient with high-risk APOL1 genotype.

BackgroundSchistosoma mansoni schistosomiasis (SM) remains a public health problem in Brazil. Renal involvement is classically manifested as a glomerulopathy, most often membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis or focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. We report a case of collapsing glomerulopathy (CG) associated with SM and high-risk APOL1 genotype (HRG).Case reportA 35-year-old male was admitted for hypertension and an eight-month history of lower-limb edema, foamy urine, and increased abdominal girth. He had a recent diagnosis of hepatosplenic SM, treated with praziquantel, without clinical improvement. Laboratory tests revealed serum creatinine 1.89mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 24mg/dL, albumin 1.9g/dL, cholesterol 531mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein 426mg/dL, platelets 115000/mm3, normal C3/C4, antinuclear antibody (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), negative serologies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HBsAg negative and AntiHBc IgG positive, no hematuria or leukocyturia, 24 hour proteinuria 6.56g and negative serum and urinary immunofixation. Kidney biopsy established the diagnosis of CG. A treatment with prednisone was started without therapeutic response, progressing to end-stage kidney disease 19 months later. Molecular genetics investigation revealed an HRG.ConclusionsThis is the first report of CG associated with SM in the setting of an HRG. This case highlights the two-hit model as a mechanism for CG pathogenesis, where the high-risk APOL1 genotype exerts a susceptibility role and SM infection serves as a trigger to CG

Evidences of histologic thrombotic microangiopathy and the impact in renal outcomes of patients with IgA nephropathy.

IntroductionIgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulopathy worldwide. According to the Oxford Classification, changes in the kidney vascular compartment are not related with worse outcomes. This paper aims to assess the impact of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in the outcomes of Brazilian patients with IgAN.Materials and methodsAnalysis of clinical data and kidney biopsy findings from patients with IgAN to assess the impact of TMA on renal outcomes.ResultsThe majority of the 118 patients included were females (54.3%); mean age of 33 years (25;43); hypertension and hematuria were observed in 67.8% and 89.8%, respectively. Median creatinine: 1.45mg/dL; eGFR: 48.8ml/min/1.73m2; 24-hour proteinuria: 2.01g; low serum C3: 12.5%. Regarding to Oxford Classification: M1: 76.3%; E1: 35.6%; S1: 70.3%; T1/T2: 38.3%; C1/C2: 28.8%. Average follow-up: 65 months. Histologic evidence of TMA were detected in 21 (17.8%) patients and those ones presented more frequently hypertension (100% vs. 61%, p ConclusionsIn this study patients with TMA had worse clinical manifestations and outcomes. In terms of histologic evidence, E1 distinguished patients with TMA from other patients. Further studies are necessary to analyze the impact of vascular lesions on IgAN prognosis