Aberrant IgM on T cells: biomarker or pathogenic factor in childhood nephrotic syndrome?

Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine Granules Associated with Hormone When Treating Primary Nephrotic Syndrome in Children

Objective

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) granules associated with hormones when treating primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in children.

Methods

Search online databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Network Database (CNKI), China VIP Database, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) to search for information on the use of hormone-related Chinese medicine granules in the treatment of children with PNS controlled trials. Retrieval time was limited to the period from the date the database was established to the present. Separately, two researchers gathered the data. Statistical software RevMan5.4 was adopted to estimate bias risk in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook 5.3 standard.

Results

Finally, 7 articles were selected with a total sample size of 487 cases. The infection rate, recurrence rate, and adverse reaction rate after treatment were analyzed by meta-analysis. The infection rate and recurrence rate in the study group were notably lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, the incidence of adverse reactions exhibited not notably different (P > 0.05). The levels of albumin and blood cholesterol after treatment indicated no statistical difference between the levels (P > 0.05). Meta-analysis was performed on the time to negative urine protein and the time to edema subsidence after treatment. The urine protein negative time and edema subsidence time of the study group were shorter after treatment, but the difference exhibited not notable (P > 0.05). Meta-analysis was performed on the dosage of glucocorticoids after treatment. The dosage of glucocorticoid in the study group was notably lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The levels of T lymphocytes after treatment were analyzed by meta. T lymphoid level in the study group was notably better after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Further subgroup analysis indicated that the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ in the study group were higher after treatment (P < 0.05), and there exhibited no statistical difference in the levels of CD8+, CD4/CD8+, and CD19 (P > 0.05). Immunoglobulin levels in the study group after treatment were notably better, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Further subgroup analysis indicated that the levels of IgA, IgM, and IgG in the study group were notably higher after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Huai Qi Huang can reduce the recurrence rate of PNS children and the incidence of infection and the dosage of prednisone. A long-term application can improve the cellular and humoral immune function of children with PNS. It has high treatment safety and has no notable effect on plasma cholesterol levels, so it is suitable for clinical application.

Increased levels of circulating class-switched memory B cells and plasmablasts are associated with serum immunoglobulin G in primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis patients

BACKGROUND

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a kidney-specific autoimmune disease, but its pathogenesis is not fully known. The present study detected the frequencies of circulating memory B cells and plasmablasts and other clinical parameters in FSGS.

METHODS

We monitored 16 primary FSGS patients and 23 healthy controls (HC). Flow cytometry was used to analyze circulating memory B cell and plasmablastspercentages. Serum IgG levels were detected using a cytometric bead array (CBA).

RESULTS

The proportions of CD27 + IgD- class-switched memory B cells (P = 0.0002), CD27 + IgD-IgG + class-switched memory B cells (P < 0.0001), CD27hiCD38hi plasmablasts (P < 0.0001) and CD138 + plasma cells (P < 0.0001) were markedlyelevated in FSGS patients, and the frequency of CD38 + IgG + plasmablasts (P < 0.0001) and serum IgG levels (P < 0.0001) were lower compared to HC. In the FSGS patients, the frequency of CD27 + IgD-IgG + class-switched memory B cells negatively correlated with CD38 + IgG + plasmablasts (P = 0.0183, R = -0.3375), serum IgG levels (P = 0.0061, R = -0.4263) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P = 0.0074, R = -0.4114) but positively correlated with 24-h urinary protein levels (P = 0.0077, R = 0.4085). The proportion of CD38 + IgG + plasmablasts positively correlated with serum IgG levels (P = 0.0151, R = 0.3538).

CONCLUSIONS

We speculate that alterations in the frequencies of CD27 + IgD-IgG + class-switched memory B cells and plasmablasts may be responsible for the etiopathogenesis of FSGS.

Role of Arachidonic Acid and Its Metabolites in the Biological and Clinical Manifestations of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Studies concerning the role of arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites in kidney disease are scarce, and this applies in particular to idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). INS is one of the most frequent glomerular diseases in childhood; it is characterized by T-lymphocyte dysfunction, alterations of pro- and anti-coagulant factor levels, and increased platelet count and aggregation, leading to thrombophilia. AA and its metabolites are involved in several biological processes. Herein, we describe the main fields where they may play a significant role, particularly as it pertains to their effects on the kidney and the mechanisms underlying INS. AA and its metabolites influence cell membrane fluidity and permeability, modulate platelet activity and coagulation, regulate lymphocyte activity and inflammation, preserve the permeability of the glomerular barrier, influence podocyte physiology, and play a role in renal fibrosis. We also provide suggestions regarding dietary measures that are able to prevent an imbalance between arachidonic acid and its parental compound linoleic acid, in order to counteract the inflammatory state which characterizes numerous kidney diseases. On this basis, studies of AA in kidney disease appear as an important field to explore, with possible relevant results at the biological, dietary, and pharmacological level, in the final perspective for AA to modulate INS clinical manifestations.

A global antiB cell strategy combining obinutuzumab and daratumumab in severe pediatric nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) is, in most patients, a chronic disease with 80% experiencing at least one relapse after first flare. B cell depletion using rituximab is effective in preventing relapse in steroid-dependent (SDNS) patients but fails to maintain long-term remission following B cell recovery, possibly due to development of autoreactive long-lived plasma cells. We investigated sequential combination of antiCD20 antibody targeting all B cell subsets, and antiCD38 antibody with high plasma cell cytotoxicity in patients with uncontrolled SDNS after failure of one or several attempts at B cell depletion.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with median disease duration 7.8 years received 1000 mg/1.73 m² obinutuzumab followed by 1000 mg/1.73 m² daratumumab 2 weeks later. Oral immunosuppression was discontinued within 6 weeks, and biological monitoring performed monthly until B cell recovery.

RESULTS

Median age at treatment was 11.0 [IQR 10.4-14.4] years. B cell depletion was achieved in all patients, and B cell reconstitution occurred in all at median 9.5 months after obinutuzumab injection. After median follow-up 20.3 months (IQR 11.5-22.6), 5/14 patients relapsed including 4 within 100 days following B cell repletion. Relapse-free survival was 60% at 24 months from obinutuzumab infusion. Mild infusion reactions were reported in 3/14 patients during obinutuzumab and 4/14 during daratumumab infusions. Mild transient neutropenia (500-1000/mm³) occurred in 2/14 patients. Intravenous immunoglobulins were given to 12/14 patients due to hypogammaglobulinemia. Low IgA and IgM levels were noted in 8 and 14 patients, respectively. No severe infection was reported.

CONCLUSION

Global antiB cell strategy combining obinutuzumab and daratumumab induces prolonged peripheral B cell depletion and remission in children with difficult-to-treat SDNS.