Mutations in the COL4A4 gene in thin basement membrane disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) are often from families where hematuria segregates with the COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes. These genes also are affected in autosomal recessive Alport syndrome. The aim of this study was to demonstrate COL4A4 mutations in TBMD. METHODS: Forty-eight unrelated individuals with TBMD who had no family members with autosomal recessive Alport syndrome were examined for COL4A4 mutations. The diagnosis of TBMD had been confirmed by renal biopsy (43/48, 90%) or by a family history of hematuria but without a renal biopsy (5/48, 10%). The 47 coding exons of COL4A4 were screened for mutations with the methods of enzyme mismatch cleavage or single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, and exons that demonstrated electrophoretic abnormalities were sequenced. RESULTS: Nine variants that altered the coding sequences were identified. These were nonsense and frameshift mutations that resulted in stop codons (N = 3), and glycine (N = 3) and non-glycine missense variants (N = 3). Four intronic variants and three neutral polymorphisms were also detected. In total, four variants were considered 'pathogenic' principally because they resulted in stop codons or were not present in non-hematuric normal subjects. Three variants were considered 'possibly pathogenic' but two of these were each present in one of 46 non-hematuric normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Pathogenic COL4A4 mutations were demonstrated in three of the nine (33%) families in whom hematuria segregated with the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus. Two stop codons (R1377X and 2788/91delG) and a glycine substitution (G960R) resulted in hematuria in all 16 members who were tested from these three families. The S969X mutation described here in TBMD for the first time, as well as the R1377X mutation, also occur in autosomal recessive Alport syndrome.     

Segregation of hematuria in thin basement membrane disease with haplotypes at the loci for Alport syndrome

BACKGROUND: Inherited hematuria is common and is usually attributed to thin basement membrane disease (TBMD). The aim of this study was to determine how often hematuria in families with TBMD segregated with haplotypes at the chromosomal loci for autosomal recessive and X-linked Alport syndrome (COL4A3/COL4A4 and COL4A5, respectively). METHODS: The families of 22 individuals with TBMD on renal biopsy and with urinary glomerular red blood cell (RBC) counts of more than 50,000/mL were studied using phase-contrast microscopy of the urine and DNA microsatellite markers. Eighteen families had at least two members with hematuria. RESULTS: Hematuria segregated with or was consistent with segregation at the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus in eight (36%) families (P < 0.05 in 5 of these) and at the COL4A5 locus in four (18%) families (P < 0.05 in 2). The lack of segregation in the other 10 (45%) families may have occurred because of incomplete penetrance of the hematuria, de novo mutations, coincidental hematuria in other family members, or the presence of a novel gene locus. In four different families, three of which had hematuria that segregated with the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus, four family members with the hematuria haplotype had spouses with coincidental hematuria (4 of 29, 14%). However, none of their four offspring who had also inherited the hematuria haplotype had the clinical features of autosomal recessive Alport syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Hematuria in families with TBMD commonly segregates with the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus and thus results from mutations in the same genes as autosomal recessive Alport syndrome. Sometimes TBMD may be confused with the carrier state for X-linked Alport syndrome. However, nearly half of the families in this study had hematuria that did not segregate with the loci for either autosomal recessive or X-linked Alport syndrome.     

Autosomal dominant progressive nephropathy with deafness: linkage to a new locus on chromosome 11q24

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Alport syndrome (AS) are two major causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A few families with autosomal dominant FSGS have been reported with linkage to chromosome 19q13 or 11q22, while AS is usually linked to mutations in type IV collagen (COL4) subunit genes. A phenotype resembling AS may also be seen with myosin heavy chain-9 (MYH9) gene mutations. This study ascertained a multigeneration family (CHP-177) with clinical aspects of both FSGS and AS where we identified a new locus for the trait. A genome-wide scan was performed with 400 markers, and fine mapping was performed for chromosome 11 markers. Data were analyzed by GENEHUNTER and VITESSE under various models. CHP-177 is a 39-member kindred residing near New Delhi, India, with seven affecteds and showed male-to-male transmission. Two members had ESRD. Renal biopsies showed both FSGS lesions and thin glomerular basement membranes. Five of the affecteds also had sensorineural deafness, which involved both low and high frequency in some members. The AS loci, i.e., COL4A3/COL4A4 and MYH9 (LOD scores: -6.1 and -4.3, respectively) and FSGS loci, on 19q13 and 11q22, were excluded from linkage. A significant evidence of linkage was observed for 11q24 region, with a multipoint LOD (z-score) of 3.2 for marker D11S4464 at theta = 0. The z-1 confidence interval for the linked region spans a genetic distance of 7 cM. This study thus reports an autosomal dominant nephropathy with features of both FSGS and AS in which linkage to currently known loci for such phenotypes was excluded and a new locus on 11q24 was identified. The findings suggest further locus heterogeneity for the autosomal dominant nephropathy phenotype.     

Sixteen novel mutations identified in COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 genes in Slovenian families with Alport syndrome and benign familial hematuria

Alport syndrome (ATS) and benign familial hematuria (BFH) are type IV collagen inherited disorders. Mutations in COL4A5 are generally believed to cause X-linked ATS, whereas mutations in COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes can be associated with the autosomal-recessive and -dominant type of ATS or BFH. In view of the wide spectrum of phenotypes, an exact diagnosis is sometimes difficult to achieve. This study involved screening each exon with boundary intronic sequences of COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 genes by optimized polymerase chain reaction-single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis in 17 families with ATS and in 40 families diagnosed as having BFH. Twelve different mutations were found in the COL4A5 gene in ATS patients, comprising nine missense mutations, a splice site mutation, a mutation causing frameshift, and a nonsense mutation. One of the missense mutations (p.G624D) was present not only in one family with ATS but also in five families with suspected BFH. Three heterozygous mutations in the COL4A3 gene (two missense and one frameshift) and four heterozygous mutations in COL4A4 (two splice site, one in-frame deletion, and one missense) were identified in patients with BFH. Sixteen mutations are to the best of our knowledge new and private.     

Thin basement membrane nephropathy

Thin basement membrane nephropathy. Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) is the most common cause of persistent glomerular bleeding in children and adults, and occurs in at least 1% of the population. Most affected individuals have, in addition to the hematuria, minimal proteinuria, normal renal function, a uniformly thinned glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and a family history of hematuria. Their clinical course is usually benign. However, some adults with TBMN have proteinuria >500 mg/day or renal impairment. This is more likely in hospital-based series of biopsied patients than in the uninvestigated, but affected, family members. The cause of renal impairment in TBMN is usually not known, but may be due to secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or immunoglobulin A (IgA) glomerulonephritis, to misdiagnosed IgA disease or X-linked Alport syndrome, or because of coincidental disease. About 40% families with TBMN have hematuria that segregates with the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus, and many COL4A3 and COL4A4 mutations have now been described. These genes are also affected in autosomal-recessive Alport syndrome, and at least some cases of TBMN represent the carrier state for this condition. Families with TBMN in whom hematuria does not segregate with the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus can be explained by de novo mutations, incomplete penetrance of hematuria, coincidental hematuria in family members without COL4A3 or COL4A4 mutations, and by a novel gene locus for TBMN. A renal biopsy is warranted in TBMN only if there are atypical features, or if IgA disease or X-linked Alport syndrome cannot be excluded clinically. In IgA disease, there is usually no family history of hematuria. X-linked Alport syndrome is much less common than TBMN and can often be identified in family members by its typical clinical features (including retinopathy), a lamellated GBM without the collagen alpha3(IV), alpha4(IV), and alpha5(IV) chains, and by gene linkage studies or the demonstration of a COL4A5 mutation. Technical difficulties in the demonstration and interpretation of COL4A3 and COL4A4 mutations mean that mutation detection is not used routinely in the diagnosis of TBMN.     

Autosomal dominant Alport syndrome linked to the type IV collage &agr;3 and &agr;4 genes (COL4A3 and COL4A4)

Background: Alport syndrome is a hereditary nephritis that may lead to end-stage renal disease (ERSD) in young adult life and is often associated with sensorineural deafness and/or ocular abnormalities. The majority of families are X-linked due to mutations in the COL4A5 gene at X122. Autosomal forms of the disease are also recognized with recessive disease, having been shown to be due to mutations in the COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes on chromosome 2. Familial benign haematuria has also been mapped to this region in some families.Subjects and methods: We describe a large family with autosomal dominant Alport syndrome in which males and females are equally severely affected and one member with a mild sensorineural deafness reached ESRD aged 35 years. Renal biopsy in four affected patients demonstrated characteristic thickened and split glomerular basement membranes on electron-microscopy. Results: Genetic linkage analysis using markers on chromosome 2q demonstrated co-segregation of the disease with the markers D2S351 and D2S401 with a maximum lod score of 3.4 at zero recombination. Linkage to the COL4A4 gene was confirmed using an intragenic COL4A4 polymorphism. Mutation analysis has revealed a missense Leu36Pro mutation in exon 5 of the adjacent COL4A3 gene in the unaffected mother, which may lead to a more severe phenotype in affected family members carrying this mutation. Conclusion: Mutations in the COL4A3 and COL4A4 cause a spectrum of glomerular basement membrane disease ranging from autosomal recessive Alport syndrome to autosomal dominant Alport syndrome and familial benign haematuria.     

COL4A3/COL4A4 mutations: from familial hematuria to autosomal-dominant or recessive Alport syndrome

COL4A3/COL4A4 mutations: From familial hematuria to autosomal-dominant or recessive Alport syndrome. BACKGROUND: Mutations of the type IV collagen COL4A5 gene cause X-linked Alport syndrome (ATS). Mutations of COL4A3 and COL4A4 have been reported both in autosomal-recessive and autosomal-dominant ATS, as well as in benign familial hematuria (BFH). In the latter conditions, however, clinical features are less defined, few mutations have been reported, and other genes and non-genetic factors may be involved. METHODS: We analyzed 36 ATS patients for COL4A3 and COL4A4 mutations by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and direct sequencing. Sporadic patients who had tested negative for COL4A5 mutations were included with typical cases of autosomal recessive ATS to secure a better definition of the phenotype spectrum. RESULTS: We identified seven previously undescribed COL4A3 mutations: in two genetic compounds and three heterozygotes, and one in COL4A4. In agreement with the literature, some of the mutations of compound heterozygotes were associated with microhematuria in healthy heterozygous relatives. The mutations of heterozygous patients are likely dominant, since no change was identified in the second allele even by sequencing, and they are predicted to result in shortened or abnormal chains with a possible dominant-negative effect. In addition, both genes showed rare variants of unclear pathogenicity, and common polymorphisms that are shared in part with other populations. CONCLUSIONS: This study extends the mutation spectrum of COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes, and suggests a possible relationship between production of abnormal COL IV chains and dominant expression of a continuous spectrum of phenotypes, from ATS to BFH.     

Evidence for genetic heterogeneity in benign familial hematuria.

Benign familial hematuria (BFH: MIM141200) is an autosomal-dominant disease accounting for one-fifth of all hematuria of unknown cause in children. Previous observations suggest that BFH may be allelic to recessive Alport syndrome (AS: MIM 203780) with a mutation in the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus. However, it is not clear whether all cases of BFH are due to heterozygous mutation of COL4A3/COL4A4 genes. We report here the exclusion of linkage between BFH and COL4A3/COL4A4 loci at 2q35-37 in a restricted population from Sicily (Italy). Total lod score is -9.6 at theta 0. Furthermore, in some cases exclusion of linkage is evident even considering single families. We conclude that BFH is genetically heterogeneous.     

Nine novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">COL4A3</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">COL4A4</Emphasis> mutations and polymorphisms identified in inherited membrane diseases

Both thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) and autosomal recessive Alport syndrome result from mutations in the COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes, and this study documents further mutations and polymorphisms in these genes. Thirteen unrelated children with TBMN and five individuals with autosomal recessive Alport syndrome were examined for mutations in the 52 exons of COL4A3 and the 47 coding exons of COL4A4 using single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Amplicons producing different electrophoretic patterns were sequenced, and mutations were defined as variants that changed an amino acid but were not present in 50 non-hematuric normals. Three further novel mutations were identified. These were IVS 22-5 T>A in the COL4A3 gene in a consanguineous family with autosomal recessive Alport syndrome, and R1677C and R1682Q in the COL4A4 gene. In addition, six novel polymorphisms (G455G, I462I, G736G and IVS 38-8 G>A in COL4A3, and L658L and A1577A in COL4A4) were demonstrated. Many different COL4A3 and COL4A4 mutations cause TBMN and autosomal recessive Alport syndrome. The identification of polymorphisms in these genes is particularly important to enable diagnostic laboratories to distinguish mutations from uncommon normal variants.     

薄基底膜肾病并发局灶节段性肾小球硬化症一家系的COL4A3和COL4A4基因突变分析

目的 探讨薄基底膜肾病(TBMN)合并局灶节段性肾小球硬化症(FSGS)的遗传学机制.方法 对一病理学诊断为TBMN合并FSGS患者及其家系的COL4A3和COL4A4基因突变,应用与COL4A3和COL4A4基因连锁的微卫星标记连锁分析方法进行分析.PCR扩增COIAA3和COL4A4全部98个外显子后,直接测序筛查突变.同时测序排除已为公认的FSGS相关基因NPHS1、NPHS2、WT1、TRPC6、ACTN4、CD2AP突变导致FSGS的可能.结果 微卫星标记连锁分析显示此家系与COL4A3和COL4A4基因连锁.直接测序在此家系中发现疾病患者COL4A4基因1214位的鸟嘌呤突变为腺嘌呤,导致Ⅳ型胶原α4链第405位甘氨酸突变为谷氨酸,并且发现COL4A3基因一多态性IVS1-4C＞T.此多态性随疾病分布,可能与致病相关.未发现FSGS相关基因的突变.结论 此家系是在TBMN的基础上发生FSGS.Ⅳ型胶原α4链突变及随疾病分布的基因多态性是否导致TBMN合并FSGS或使其易感性增加尚待更多家系进一步研究.     

Autosomal recessive Alport syndrome: linkage analysis and clinical features in two families.

BACKGROUND: Genetic heterogeneity is a well-known feature of Alport syndrome (AS). Most families with AS show an X-linked dominant pattern of inheritance but about 15% of families show an autosomal inheritance of the disease. Autosomal recessive AS may account for 10% of the total number of cases and is caused by mutations in the COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes. The clinical spectrum of this rare disorder has not been well clarified. METHODS: We present two families with AS. Two affected members of these families have entered end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in their 30s, and the other three are older than 15 years and have normal serum creatinine. Four of the five patients have deafness but none have ocular abnormalities. Two have been transplanted and have not suffered from anti-GBM antibody nephritis. Men and women are equally affected. We have performed linkage analysis for chromosome 2 with the following markers: D2S279, COL4A3/4 DNTR, COL4A4 RFLP Hae III. RESULTS: We demonstrate that both families, one of them consanguineous, are linked to the COL4A3/4 locus. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that the only significant difference between the X-linked and the autosomal recessive forms of AS lies in the fact that in the latter females are as affected as males; thus the idea that autosomal recessive AS causes ESRD during childhood must be discarded. Other clinical features such as age of deafness or the presence of post-transplant anti-GBM antibody nephritis show no differences between the entities. Thus an accurate familial study is mandatory in patients with AS, as the identification of the different patterns of inheritance may cause a great difference in genetic counselling. Linkage analysis is the only effective molecular diagnosis that can be performed nowadays.     

Novel heterozygous COL4A3 mutation in a family with late-onset ESRD

Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) and Alport syndrome (ATS) are genetically heterogeneous conditions characterized by structural abnormalities in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). TBMN presents with hematuria, minimal proteinuria, and normal renal function. Although TBMN is an autosomal dominant disease (COL4A3 and COL4A4), ATS can be inherited X-linked (COL4A5), autosomal recessive, or autosomal dominant (both COL4A3 and COL4A4). The clinical course of TBMN is usually benign, whereas ATS typically results in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Nevertheless, there is a broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes caused by mutations in COL4A3 or COL4A4. We report an Italian family who presented with hematuria and mild proteinuria. Mutational analysis showed a novel heterozygous mutation p.G291E in exon 15 of the COL4A3 gene. Many different mutations in COL4A3 and COL4A4 that cause TBMN have already been identified, but most genetic variability in these genes has been found to cause autosomal ATS. A valid genotype–phenotype correlation for TBMN or ATS is not yet known. Therefore, it is important to identify new mutations by direct sequencing to clarify their clinical importance, to assess the prognosis of the disease, and to avoid renal biopsy.     

Identification of COL4A5 defects in Alport's syndrome by immunohistochemistry of skin

BACKGROUND: The COL4A3-COL4A4-COL4A5 network in the glomerular basement membrane is affected in the inherited renal disorder Alport's syndrome (AS). Approximately 85% of the AS patients are expected to carry a mutation in the X-chromosomal COL4A5 gene and 15% in the autosomal COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes. The COL4A5 chain is also present in the epidermal basement membrane (EBM). It is predicted that approximately 70% of the COL4A5 mutations prevent incorporation of this chain in basement membranes. METHODS: We investigated whether or not COL4A5 defects could be detected by immunohistochemical analysis of the EBM. Punch skin biopsies were obtained from 22 patients out of 17 families and two biopsy specimens from healthy males were used as controls. RESULTS: In four cases with the COL4A5 frameshift or missense mutations, the COL4A5 chain was either lacking from the EBM (male) or showed a focally negative pattern (female). In three other patients with a COL4A5 missense mutation, a COL4A3 and a COL4A4 mutation, respectively, the COL4A5 staining was normal. A (focally) negative EBM-COL4A5 staining was found in three patients of six families with a diagnosis of AS and in one family of a group of four families with possible AS. CONCLUSIONS: The (focal) absence of COL4A5 in the EBM of skin biopsy specimens can be used for fast identification of COL4A5 defects. Combined with polymorphic COL4A5 markers, both postnatal and prenatal DNA diagnosis are possible in the family of the patient.     

The genetics of thin basement membrane nephropathy

The diagnosis of thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) usually is made on the basis of the clinical features or the glomerular membrane ultrastructural appearance. Only now are we beginning to understand the genetics of TBMN and the role of diagnostic genetic testing. The similarity of clinical and glomerular membrane features first suggested TBMN might represent the carrier state for autosomal-recessive Alport syndrome. This was confirmed subsequently by the demonstration that 40% of families with TBMN have hematuria that segregates with the corresponding locus ( COL4A3/COL4A4 ), and identical mutations occur in both conditions. To date, about 20 COL4A3 and COL4A4 mutations have been shown in TBMN, and these mainly are single nucleotide substitutions that are different in each family. The families in whom hematuria does not appear to segregate with the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus cannot all be explained by de novo mutations, and nonpenetrant or coincidental hematuria. This suggests a further TBMN locus. In patients with persistent hematuria, testing for COL4A3 and COL4A4 mutations to diagnose TBMN is problematic because of the huge size of these genes, their frequent polymorphisms, and the likelihood of a further gene locus. It is far more practicable to perform genetic testing to exclude or confirm X-linked Alport syndrome because this condition is the major differential diagnosis of TBMN and has a very different prognosis.     

COL4A3 mutations and their clinical consequences in thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN)

BACKGROUND: Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) is often caused by mutations in the COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes. METHODS: We examined 62 unrelated individuals diagnosed with TBMN by renal biopsy (N= 49, 79%) or a positive family history of hematuria but without a biopsy (N= 13, 21%) for mutations in the COL4A3 gene and the COL4A3/COL4A4 promoter. All 52 exons of COL4A3 as well as the COL4A3/COL4A4 promoter were screened with single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis at 4 degrees C and at room temperature. Amplicons that demonstrated electrophoretic abnormalities were sequenced. RESULTS: Seven mutations were demonstrated in seven patients: G532C and G584C in exon 25, G596R in exon 26, G695R in exon 28, and IVS 2224 - 11C>T, IVS 2980 + 1G>A and IVS 3518 - 7C>G. No mutations were found in the COL4A3/COL4A4 promoter. Four novel polymorphisms or variants (P116T in exon 6, P690P in exon 27, and G895G and A899A in exon 33) were also demonstrated. In addition, P1109S and Q1495R, which had been described previously but whose status was unclear, were shown to be polymorphisms. All seven mutations described here were associated with hematuria. While one mutation (2980 + 1G>A) was found in an individual who also had proteinuria, none of her family members with the same mutation had increased urinary protein. None of the patients with these seven mutations had renal impairment. Hematuria was completely penetrant in families with the G532C, G584C, G596R, and IVS 2980 + 1G>A mutations but not with the G695R and IVS 3518 - 7C>G mutations. CONCLUSION: COL4A3 mutations are common in TBMN.     

COL4A4 mutation in thin basement membrane disease previously described in Alport syndrome

BACKGROUND: Carriers of autosomal-recessive and X-linked Alport syndrome often have a thinned glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and have mutations in the COL4A3/COL4A4 and COL4A5 genes respectively. Recently, we have shown that many individuals with thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) are also from families where hematuria segregates with the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus. This study describes the first COL4A4 mutation in an individual with biopsy-proven TBMD who did not have a family member with autosomal-recessive or X-linked Alport syndrome, inherited renal failure, or deafness. METHODS: The index case and all available family members were examined for dysmorphic hematuria> 50,000/mL using phase contrast microscopy and for segregation of hematuria with the COL4A3/COL4A4 and COL4A5 loci using DNA satellite markers. COL4A4 exons from the index case were then studied using the enzyme mismatch cleavage method, and exons that demonstrated abnormal cleavage products were sequenced. RESULTS: Hematuria in this family segregated with a haplotype at the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus (P = 0.031) but not with haplotypes at the COL4A5 locus. A mutation in COL4A4 that changed C to T resulting in an arginine residue being replaced by a stop codon (R1377X) was demonstrated in exon 44, which encodes part of the alpha 4(IV) collagen sequence close to the junction with the noncollagenous domain. This mutation was present in all five family members with hematuria, but not in the four unaffected family members, 33 unrelated individuals with TBMD, or 22 nonhematuric normals. CONCLUSIONS: R1377X has been described previously in a compound heterozygous form of autosomal-recessive Alport syndrome. Our observation is evidence that TBMD can represent a carrier state for autosomal-recessive Alport syndrome in at least some individuals.     

Persistent familial hematuria in children and the locus for thin basement membrane nephropathy

This study examined how often children with persistent familial hematuria were from families where hematuria segregated with the known genetic locus for the condition known as benign familial hematuria or thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) at COL4A3/COL4A4. Twenty-one unrelated children with persistent familial hematuria as well as their families were studied for segregation of hematuria with haplotypes at the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus for benign familial hematuria and at the COL4A5 locus for X-linked Alport syndrome. Eight families (38%) had hematuria that segregated with COL4A3/COL4A4, and four (19%) had hematuria that segregated with COL4A5. At most, eight of the other nine families could be explained by disease at the COL4A3/COL4A4 locus if de novo mutations, non-penetrant hematuria or coincidental hematuria in unaffected family members was present individually or in combination. This study confirms that persistent familial hematuria is not always linked to COL4A3/COL4A4 (or COL4A5) and suggests the possibility of a further genetic locus for benign familial hematuria. This study also highlights the risk of excluding X-linked Alport syndrome on the basis of the absence of a family history or of kidney failure.     

Autosomal-dominant Alport syndrome: natural history of a disease due to COL4A3 or COL4A4 gene

BACKGROUND: Alport syndrome is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous nephropathy. The majority of cases are transmitted as an X-linked semidominant condition due to COL4A5 mutations. In this form males are more severely affected than females. Less than 10% of cases are autosomal recessive due to mutation in either COL4A3 or COL4A4. In this rarer form, both males and females are severely affected. Only two cases of autosomal-dominant Alport syndrome have been reported, one due to a COL4A3 mutation and the other due to a COL4A4 mutation. Because of the paucity of the reported families, the natural history of autosomal-dominant Alport syndrome is mostly unknown. METHODS: Four families with likely autosomal-dominant Alport syndrome were investigated. COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes were analyzed by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Automated sequencing was performed to identify the underlying mutation. RESULTS: Two families had a mutation in the COL4A4 gene and two in the COL4A3. Accurate clinical evaluation of family members showed interesting results. Affected individuals (22 persons) had a wide range of phenotypes from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the fifth decade to a nonprogressive isolated microhematuria. Finally, three heterozygous individuals (90, 22 and 11 years old, respectively) were completely asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: This paper demonstrated that patients affected by autosomal-dominant Alport syndrome have a high clinical variability. Moreover, a reduced penetrance of about 90% (3 of 25) may be considered for the assessment of recurrence risk during genetic counseling of these families.