Congenital nephrotic syndrome with a novel NPHS1 mutation.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. The incidence of CNF is relatively high in Finland but considerably lower in other countries. We encountered a male newborn with CNF, associated with compound heterozygous mutations in nephrosis 1, congenital, Finnish type (NPHS1). The patient was admitted to hospital as a preterm infant. Physical and laboratory findings fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of nephrotic syndrome, and were compatible with a diagnosis of CNF, but there was no family history of the disease. On genetic analysis of NPHS1 a paternally derived heterozygous frame-shift mutation caused by an 8 bp deletion, resulting in a stop codon in exon 16 (c.2156-2163 delTGCACTGC causing p.L719DfsX4), and a novel, maternally derived nonsense mutation in exon 15 (c.1978G>T causing p.E660X) were identified. Early genetic diagnosis of CNF is important for proper clinical management and appropriate genetic counseling.

DNA methylation changes between relapse and remission of minimal change nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation of gene promoters is associated with transcriptional inactivation. Changes in DNA methylation can lead to differences in gene expression levels and thereby influence disease development. We hypothesized that epigenetics underlies the pathogenesis of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). METHODS: Genome-wide DNA methylation changes between relapse and remission in monocytes (n = 6) and naive T helper cells (Th0s) (n = 4) isolated from patients with MCNS were investigated using the microarray-based integrated analysis of methylation by isochizomers (MIAMI) method. We confirmed the MIAMI results using bisulfite-pyrosequencing analysis. Expression analysis was performed using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Three gene loci (GATA2, PBX4, and NYX) were significantly less methylated in Th0s during relapse than in remission, compared to none in monocytes. In addition, the distance distribution from the regression line of all probes in MIAMI was significantly different between monocytes and Th0s. The mRNA levels of the three genes in Th0s were not significantly different between relapse and remission. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the change in DNA methylation patterns from remission to relapse in MCNS occurs predominantly in Th0s rather than in monocytes and suggest that epigenetic regulation in Th0s underlies the pathogenesis of MCNS.

Fatal interstitial pneumonia in juvenile dermatomyositis.

A 5-year-old girl presented with a two-month-history of skin rash and general fatigue. She had a slight fever, progressive muscle weakness and liver dysfunction. Gottron's papules on her fingers and purple-reddish papules on her elbows were noted. Serum aldolase levels were highly elevated, however, creatine phosphokinase levels were normal. An MRI revealed abnormal high signal changes in her gluteus minimus muscles. Interstitial pneumonia suddenly developed and she died despite aggressive treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by intravenous administration of cyclophosphamide, immunoglobulin and cyclosporine A. Interstitial pneumonia is rare in juvenile dermatomyositis; however, as in adult cases, it can be fatal. In order to prevent severe complications and functional disabilities, early aggressive treatments should be considered when muscle inflammation is refractory to ordinary treatment.