A spectrum of morphologic lesions of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis by Columbia criteria in human immunodeficiency virus infection

The Columbia working classification of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) identifies five types of glomerular lesions, designated collapsing (COLL), cellular (CELL), glomerular tip lesion (GTL), perihilar (PH), and not otherwise specified (NOS) variant lesions. FSGS COLL and non-collapsing variants of FSGS are described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated kidney disease. This study examined the range and relationships of Columbia-type segmental sclerosing lesions in biopsies from patients with HIV infection. We identified 47 renal biopsies from 46 patients with HIV infection obtained over an 8-year period. Twenty-seven biopsies from 26 patients had FSGS. Sixteen biopsies had FSGS COLL (59.3%), 3 had CELL (11.1%), 5 had NOS (18.5%), 2 had PH (7.4%), and 1 had GTL (3.7%) by the Columbia classification. Biopsies had more than one type of Columbia FSGS lesion in 63% and one type in 37%. Single types of FSGS lesions were identified in eight of eight biopsies with ≤10 glomeruli. Combinations of lesions were observed in 17 of 19 (89.5%) with >10 glomeruli, and the coincidence of COLL, CELL, and NOS lesions was not random. NOS, COLL, and CELL morphologic lesions of FSGS frequently coexist in kidney biopsies from HIV+ patients. Combined patterns of FSGS suggest that lesions identified by Columbia criteria may be part of a spectrum of responses to injury in the setting of HIV infection.     

不同病理类型局灶节段性肾小球硬化症的临床病理分析

目的探讨不同病理类型局灶节段性肾小球硬化症（FSGS）的临床病理特征及其与临床表现的关系。方法对北京大学第一医院2000年1月—2005年12月收集的102例特发性FSGS进行回顾性病理阅片及分型,并对其活动性及慢性化病理改变进行定量评估,分析不同病理类型FSGS的病理变化及其临床表现的特征。结果102例FSGS中,非特殊型占55．9％,门部型占6．9％,细胞型占25．5％,顶端型占4．8％,塌陷型占6．9％。细胞型和顶端型FSGS的尿蛋白水平较非特殊型明显增高,塌陷型和顶端型FSGS的肾病综合征比例较其他三型明显升高（x^2=12．23,P＜0．05）,细胞型和塌陷型FSGS的病理活动性积分较其他3型明显增高（P＜0．05）;门部型FSGS的病程较其他4组患者明显增高,其病理慢性化积分较顶端型和非特殊型明显增高（P＜0．05）;顶端型FSGS的病理总积分最少,明显低于细胞型和塌陷型（P＜0．05）;其慢性化积分较非特殊型和门部型明显降低（P＜0．05）。结论非特殊型FSGS是特发性FSGS的主要病理类型;塌陷型和细胞型FSGS是病变处于活动性阶段的病理类型,门部型FSGS为病理改变呈慢性化的病理类型,顶端型FSGS是病理改变最轻的病理类型。     

Clinicopathological characteristics of obesity-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) is a secondary form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) occurring in obese patients with a body-mass index higher than 30?kg/m(2). It is typically manifested by nephrotic-range proteinuria without full nephrotic syndrome, and progressive renal insufficiency. Characteristic morphologic features include the consistent presence of glomerulomegaly, predominance of perihilar variant of FSGS, and the relatively mild fusion of visceral epithelial cell foot processes. The concept of podocyte depletion as a driver of the glomerular scarring in obesity-associated FSGS is well documented. The underlying mechanisms are likely to be related in part to the oxidative stress and the impairment of the integrity of the slit diaphragm and cell adhesion resulting mainly from angiotensin II and transforming growth factor-β. These proapoptotic cytokines are upregulated in obesity in response to insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia and glomerular hyperfiltration-hypertension mediated mechanical stress. This review is designed to discuss the clinicopathologic features of obesity-associated FSGS, with a focus on the podocyte injury, which is involved in the onset and progression of the glomerulosclerotic process. Ultrastructural glomerular lesions are documented.     

Recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after renal transplantation

In a young adult male with chronic renal failure from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, massive proteinuria appeared within two weeks after transplantation. Although allograft biopsy at eight weeks was normal, a second biopsy eight months after transplant showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis again. Sixteen months after transplantation maintenance hemodialysis had to be restarted.     

Minimal change nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

The terms minimal change nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis describe histopathological entities diagnosed by renal biopsy, typically in patients presenting with heavy proteinuria and its consequences including nephrotic syndrome. Numerous alterations in the immune response have been reported, but there is uncertainty about whether these play a causal role. In both conditions, there is evidence of injury to glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes), a cell type with limited potential for repair or replacement. The mechanisms of injury are poorly understood but may include immunologically mediated processes such as the effects of soluble mediators produced by lymphocytes. Empirical immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids, alkylating agents, and/or calcineurin antagonists is often effective, but the potential for toxicity of these drugs is enormous, and more specific forms of treatment are needed. The focus in recent years has been on the podocyte, and in particular the potential importance of mutations/polymorphisms in podocyte-specific genes as predisposing factors, mechanisms of podocyte injury including study of the role of podocytes as active participants in disease pathogenesis, indices of podocyte injury as markers of disease activity or possible diagnostic tools, and strategies for podocyte repair including the recognition that existing therapies may have effects (beneficial or adverse) on podocytes. Future improvements in the understanding of these diseases and in our ability to successfully treat them can be confidently expected as a result of rapid advances in the study of podocyte biology in health and disease.     

A case of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis associated with aplastic anemia

The pathogenic mechanism of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and aplastic anemia are associated with immunologic events which lead to glomerular cell injury or hematopoietic cell destruction. We present an extremely rare case of FSGS with aplastic anemia in a 30-yr-old woman. The laboratory examination showed hemoglobin 7.2 g/dL, white blood count of 4,200/ microL, platelet count 70,900/microL. Proteinuria (2+, 3.6 g/day) and microscopic hematuria were detected in urinalysis. The diagnosis of FSGS and aplastic anemia were confirmed by renal and bone marrow biopsy. She was treated with immunosuppressive therapy of prednisone 60 mg/day orally for 8 weeks and cyclosporine A 15 mg/kg/day orally. She responded with gradually improving her clinical manifestation and increasing peripheral blood cell counts. Prednisone was maintained at the adequate doses with tapering after 8 weeks and cyclosporine was given to achieve trough serum levels of 100-200 ng/mL. At review ten month after diagnosis and initial therapy, the patient was feeling well and her blood cell counts increased to near normal (Hb 9.5 g/dL, Hct 32%, WBC 8,300/microL, platelet 123,000/microL) and renal function maintains stable with normal range proteinuria (0.25 g/day).     

Glomerular podocyte vacuolation in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

An electron microscopic study of the nonsclerotic glomeruli or nonsclerosed segments of affected glomeruli was made in 34 children with nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and in 34 children with minimal-change nephrotic syndrome. Particular attention was paid to alterations of glomerular epithelium. The most striking glomerular change in FSGS was vacuolation of the epithelial cell. Glomerular epithelial vacuolation was found in 21 of the 34 patients with FSGS. Eleven of these 21 patients with vacuoles developed chronic renal failure, while only one of the 13 patients without vacuoles developed renal failure. In minimal-change nephrotic syndrome only five of the 34 patients showed mild epithelial vacuolation. These observations are consistent with glomerular epithelial vacuolation contributing to the development and progression of the glomerular lesion in FSGS.     

补肾活血泄浊汤治疗大鼠局灶性节段性肾小球硬化的研究

目的:观察中药补肾活血泄浊汤对大鼠局灶性节段性肾小球硬化的治疗作用及作用机制。方法:采用单侧肾切除术,两次尾静脉注射阿霉素法复制局灶性节段性肾小球硬化模型,分为补肾活血泄浊汤治疗组、模型组和正常组。实验的前6周每周测大鼠24h尿蛋白,后6周隔周测大鼠24h尿蛋白,第60d\,100d时测定血清白蛋白、胆固醇、肌酐、尿素氮含量,并进行光镜、电镜、原位杂交、免疫组化等观察。结果:治疗组各项指标与模型组相比均有显著性差异,形态学观察也显示治疗组损害轻于模型组。结论:补肾活血泄浊汤能够明显保护病鼠肾功能,明显减轻病鼠细胞外基质沉积,延缓病变肾小球硬化的发生。     

Rituximab targets podocytes in recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a glomerular disease characterized by proteinuria, progression to end-stage renal disease, and recurrence of proteinuria after kidney transplantation in about one-third of patients. It has been suggested that rituximab might treat recurrent FSGS through an unknown mechanism. Rituximab not only recognizes CD20 on B lymphocytes, but might also bind sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase acid-like 3b (SMPDL-3b) protein and regulate acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) activity. We hypothesized that rituximab prevents recurrent FSGS and preserves podocyte SMPDL-3b expression. We studied 41 patients at high risk for recurrent FSGS, 27 of whom were treated with rituximab at time of kidney transplant. SMPDL-3b protein, ASMase activity, and cytoskeleton remodeling were studied in cultured normal human podocytes that had been exposed to patient sera with or without rituximab. Rituximab treatment was associated with lower incidence of posttransplant proteinuria and stabilization of glomerular filtration rate. The number of SMPDL-3b(+) podocytes in postreperfusion biopsies was reduced in patients who developed recurrent FSGS. Rituximab partially prevented SMPDL-3b and ASMase down-regulation that was observed in podocytes treated with the sera of patients with recurrent FSGS. Overexpression of SMPDL-3b or treatment with rituximab was able to prevent disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and podocyte apoptosis induced by patient sera. This effect was diminished in cultured podocytes where SMPDL-3b was silenced. Our study suggests that treatment of high-risk patients with rituximab at time of kidney transplant might prevent recurrent FSGS by modulating podocyte function in an SMPDL-3b-dependent manner.     

Histological and cytological fine needle biopsies from focal liver lesions. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility of diagnoses

In 175 consecutive cases of ultrasonically detected focal liver lesions both cytological (CFNB) and histological (HFNB) fine needle biopsies were performed with two different 0.6 mm needles and evaluated twice and blindly by two examiners. The intra- and interobserver kappa values for reproducibility concerning a malignant diagnosis were higher for CFNB (0.94-0.96) than for HFNB (0.89-0.93). At re-evaluation most inconsistent diagnoses could be related to biopsies of poor quality (CFNB 4 cases, HFNB 13 cases). In three cases (CFNB 2, HFNB 1) false interpretation of the biopsies could have been the cause of inconsistent diagnoses. CFNB resulted in significantly more consistent, malignant diagnoses than HFNB, and CFNB is therefore recommended as the method of choice in cases of a known primary tumour. A morphological diagnosis of a breast carcinoma and of a colonic carcinoma as the primary tumour was better reproduced by HFNB than by CFNB. A diagnosis of a primary liver tumour and of a small cell carcinoma of the lung had a reasonable reproducibility with both methods (kappas greater than 0.60). Other diagnoses were poorly reproduced or occurred infrequently. Both methods are recommended for use in cases of an unknown primary tumour.     

Associated focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Of the 92 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who were seen at our institution over a two-year period, 9 acquired the nephrotic syndrome (urinary protein greater than 3.5 g per 24 hours) and 2 had azotemia with lesser amounts of urinary protein. Five of these 11 patients had a history of intravenous-heroin addiction, but in the remaining six, there were no known predisposing factors for nephropathy. In nine patients (including the six non-addicts) the course of renal disease was marked by rapid progression to severe uremia. Renal tissue examined by biopsy in seven patients and at autopsy in three revealed focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis with intraglomerular deposition of IgM and C3. In the 11th patient, renal biopsy revealed an increase in mesangial matrix and cells, with deposition of IgG and C3 consistent with a mild immune-complex glomerulonephritis, and severe interstitial nephritis. We conclude that focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis may be associated with AIDS and suggest that rapid deterioration to uremia may characterize this renal disease.     

Long-term outcome of kidney transplantation in adult recipients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is an important cause of nephrotic syndrome and end-stage renal disease. FSGS recurrence after renal transplantation has a potentially detrimental course leading to the loss of renal function. In order to establish FSGS recurrence rates and evaluate the course of the disease on living-related-donor renal transplantation in ethnic Korean adults (> or = 18 years), we reviewed our experiences of 27 kidney transplantations with FSGS over the last 15 years. Of the 27 renal allografts, 13 were found to have recurrent FSGS by graft biopsy. In comparison with background data upon patients with and without recurrence of FSGS, the donor age of patients with recurrent FSGS was significantly higher than that of those without recurrence (median, 39 years vs 26, p < 0.05). In terms of, age at transplantation, length of dialysis period, and mode of dialysis no differences were found between recurrent and nonrecurrent cases. The graft survival rate of recipients from a kidney donor of age less than 40 years was significantly higher than that of recipients from a kidney donor of age more than 40 years, at 5 and 10 years, respectively (87% vs 33%, 41% vs 0%, p < 0.05). The association between clinical variables and recurrence was assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis, and donor age was found to be a risk factor of FSGS recurrence (p<0.05). Variables such as HLA-mismatch numbers and immunosuppression were not found to be associated. In conclusion, the recurrence rate of FSGS in adult recipients with FSGS was 48% and patients that received kidney from an older donor appear to be at higher risk of developing recurrence. The use of a renal graft from a younger donor is considered advisable for adult recipients with FSGS.