Plasmapheresis-induced clinical improvement in a patient with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome due to podocin (NPHS2) gene mutation

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove). 2010;53(3):157-9. doi: 10.14712/18059694.2016.76.

Abstract

Podocin mutations (NPHS2 gene) are mostly responsible for steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) of childhood onset. Patients with NPHS2 gene mutations do not respond to corticoids and other immunosuppressive agents; partial remission can be rarely induced by cyclosporin A. We present a boy, where SRNS was diagnosed within first year of life. By the age of 15 years, proteinuria reached 9000 mg/24 h, cholesterolemia 15 mmol/L, albuminemia 19.6 g/L, in spite of combined therapy with cyclosporine A, methylprednisolone, enalapril and losartan. At that time a combined heterozygous form of two NPHS2 gene mutations (p.R138Q and p.V290M) was diagnosed, methylprednisolone was discontinued and patient underwent ten plasmapheresis procedures. This resulted in clinical improvement (proteinuria 3000 mg/24 h, S-cholesterol 6 mmol/L, albumin 30g/L) lasting for three years. In conclusion, plasmapheresis can result in clinical improvement and stabilization of SRNS caused by podocine mutation, before renal replacement therapy is initiated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Drug Resistance
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Mutation*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / genetics
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / therapy*
  • Plasmapheresis*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NPHS2 protein
  • Methylprednisolone