[HNF1B-related disease: paradigm of a developmental gene and unexpected recognition of a new renal disease]. / HNF1B : paradigme d'un gène du développement et émergence inattendue d'une nouvelle maladie génétique rénale.

HNF1B encodes for a transcription factor involved in the early development of the kidney, pancreas, liver and genital tract. Mutations in HNF1B are dominantly inherited and consist of whole-gene deletion, or small mutation. De novo mutation occurs in half of tested kindreds. HNF1B-related disease combines renal and non-renal manifestations. Renal involvement is heterogeneous and may escape early recognition. During fetal life and childhood, it mostly consists of hyperechogenic kidneys or bilateral renal cystic hypodysplasia. The adult phenotype encompasses tubulointerstitial profile at presentation and slowly progressive renal decline (-2 ml/min/year). Renal involvement includes renal cysts (mostly few cortical cysts), a solitary kidney, pelvi-caliceal abnormalities, hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia related to tubular leak, and more rarely, Fanconi syndrome and chromophobe renal carcinoma. The latter warrants ultrasound screening. Extrarenal phenotype consists of diabetes mellitus (MODY-5), exocrine pancreas failure and pancreas atrophy; fluctuation liver tests abnormalities; diverse genital tract abnormalities in females or infertility in males; and mild mental retardation in rare individuals. Phenotype heterogeneity within families is striking. Individuals progressing to end-stage renal disease are eligible for kidney transplantation (or combined pancreas and kidney transplantation for diabetic individuals). While HNF1B disease was still unknown one decade ago, it has emerged as the second most prevalent dominantly inherited kidney disease. Data available pave the way for early recognition and improved specific management, including genetic counselling.

Oxalate nephropathy associated with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Enteric overabsorption of oxalate may lead to hyperoxaluria and subsequent acute oxalate nephritis (AON). AON related to chronic pancreatitis is a rare and poorly described condition precluding early recognition and treatment. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We collected the clinical characteristics, treatment, and renal outcome of 12 patients with chronic pancreatitis-associated AON followed in four French renal units. RESULTS: Before AON, mild to moderate chronic kidney disease was present in all patients, diabetes mellitus in eight (insulin [n = 6]; oral antidiabetic drugs [n = 2]), and known chronic pancreatitis in only eight. At presentation, pancreas imaging showed gland atrophy/heterogeneity, Wirsung duct dilation, calcification, or pseudocyst. Renal findings consisted of rapidly progressive renal failure with tubulointerstitial profile. Acute modification of glomerular filtration preceded the AON (i.e., diarrhea and diuretics). Increase in urinary oxalate excretion was found in all tested patients and hypocalcemia in nine (<1.5 mmol/L in four patients). Renal biopsy showed diffuse crystal deposits, highly suggestive of oxalate crystals, with tubular necrosis and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltrates. Treatment consisted of pancreatic enzyme supplementation, oral calcium intake, and an oxalate-free diet in all patients and renal replacement therapy in five patients. After a median follow-up of 7 months, three of 12 patients reached end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSION: AON is an under-recognized severe crystal-induced renal disease with features of tubulointerstitial nephritis that may occur in patients with a long history of chronic pancreatitis or reveal the pancreatic disease. Extrinsic triggering factors should be prevented.

Renal, ocular, and neuromuscular involvements in patients with CLDN19 mutations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe the renal and extrarenal findings in patients with recessively inherited familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) associated with CLDN19 mutations. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Medical records of three patients from two French unrelated families with CLDN19 mutations were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: Direct sequencing of CLDN19 identified a known variant (p.Gly20Asp) in all patients and a new missense mutation (p.Val44Met) in one (compound heterozygous). The patients' renal phenotype closely mimicked CLDN16-related nephropathy: low serum Mg2+ (<0.65 mmol/L) despite oral supplementation, hypercalciuria partly thiazide-sensitive, and progressive renal decline with ESRD reached at age 16 and 22 years in two individuals. Primary characteristics (failure to thrive, recurrent urinary tract infections, or abdominal pain), age at onset (0.8 to 16 years), and rate of renal decline were highly heterogeneous. Ocular involvement was identified in all patients, although two patients did not have visual loss. Additionally, exercise intolerance with pain, weakness, and electromyographical alterations mimicking a Ca2+/K+ channelopathy (pattern V) were observed in two of three individuals. These features persisted despite the normalization of serum K+ and Mg2+ after renal transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular manifestations, even subtle, and exercise intolerance mimicking mild to moderate periodic paralysis are two symptoms that need to be searched for in patients with FHHNC and may indicate CLDN19 mutations.