Recurrent diseases in the kidney transplant

Complete Atrioventricular Block After Kidney Transplantation in a Patient With Fabry Disease Receiving Enzyme Replacement Therapy: A Case Report

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder that results from the deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) enzyme. Kidney transplantation is an option for treating end-stage renal disease in patients with FD. However, only a few cases of kidney transplantation have been reported involving patients with FD and end-stage renal disease and cardiomyopathy after enzyme replacement therapy. A 53-year-old man who underwent peritoneal dialysis was referred to our department because his brother was diagnosed with FD. The diagnosis of FD was also confirmed in our patient on account of the reduced leukocyte α-Gal A enzyme activity and mutation in the α-galactosidase A gene (p.Arg301Gln). Though our patient had end-stage renal disease, he received enzyme replacement therapy with 1 mg/kg agalsidase-β every 2 weeks (Fabrazyme; Genzyme Co, Mass, USA) owing to markedly diffuse cardiac hypertrophy. Six years later, he underwent successful deceased-donor kidney transplantation. The post-transplantation course was uneventful, 4 months after transplantation. However, though he showed T-cell-mediated rejection on kidney biopsy, lamellar lysosomal inclusions were not present in vascular endothelial cells. After several months, a permanent pacemaker was inserted owing to a complete atrioventricular block; the patient died of sepsis and candidemia 1 year later. Deceased-donor kidney transplantation was successfully performed in an FD patient with sustained enzyme replacement therapy. However, owing to high cardiac morbidity and infection risks even after enzyme replacement therapy, close monitoring of these risks is essential for increasing patient survival after kidney transplantation.

Long-term Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation in Fabry Disease

BACKGROUND

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene that obliterate or markedly reduce α-galactosidase A activity. This results in the systemic accumulation of its glycosphingolipid substrates in body fluids and organs, including the kidney. Fabry nephropathy can lead to end-stage renal disease requiring kidney transplantation. Little is known about its long-term outcomes and the overall patient survival after kidney transplantation.

METHODS

Here, we report 17 Fabry patients (15 male and 2 female subjects) who received kidney transplants and their long-term treatment and follow-up at 4 specialized Fabry centers.

RESULTS

The posttransplant follow-up ranged to 25 years, with a median of 11.5 (range, 0.8-25.5] years. Graft survival was similar, and death-censored graft survival was superior to matched controls. Fabry patients died with functioning kidneys, mostly from cardiac causes. In 2 male subjects 14 and 23 years posttransplant, the grafts had a few typical FD lamellar inclusions, presumably originating from invading host macrophages and vascular endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that kidney transplantation has an excellent long-term outcome in FD.

Preoperative Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis for Preventing Recurrence of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis after Kidney Transplantation

Background

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) often develops rapidly and frequently progresses to renal failure, while the recurrence rate after kidney transplantation is 20–50%. We performed low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis before kidney transplantation in FSGS patients to prevent recurrence.

Methods

Five adult patients with chronic renal failure due to FSGS undergoing living related donor kidney transplantation were investigated retrospectively. LDL apheresis was done 1-2 times before transplantation. Postoperative renal function and recurrence of FSGS were assessed.

Results

The patients were two men and three women aged 24 to 41 years. The observation period ranged from 60 days to 22 months. Preoperative LDL apheresis was performed once in one patient and twice in four patients. Blood LDL cholesterol levels were normal before LDL apheresis and remained normal both after LDL apheresis and after kidney transplantation. Additional LDL apheresis was performed once in one patient with mild proteinuria after transplantation. The renal graft survived in all patients and there was no evidence of recurrent FSGS.

Conclusions

Although the observation period was short, FSGS did not recur in all 5 patients receiving preoperative LDL apheresis. These results suggest that LDL apheresis can be effective in preventing recurrence of FSGS after kidney transplantation.

De novo Membranous Glomerulopathy in a Renal Transplant Patient Treated with FK 506. The First Reported Case

We describe a case of de novo membranous glomerulopathy in the renal allograft of a diabetic patient, treated with the newer immunosuppressive agent FK 506. Twenty-two months later this patient developed nephrotic range proteinuria.

In Vitro Study of Encapsulation Therapy for Fabry Disease Using Genetically Engineered CHO Cell Line

Fabry disease is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal hydrolase α-galac-tosidase A (α-gal). The deficiency of this enzyme leads to the systemic deposition of ceramide trihexoside (CTH) in various tissues and organs. Enzyme replacement using IV doses of recombinant human α-gal produced in CHO cells or in human fibroblasts is currently being evaluated in clinical trials as a potential therapy for this disease. However, it requires lifelong therapy involving a large amount of purified α-gal. As a novel approach for treatment of Fabry disease we used polymer encapsulated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells genetically modified to express α-gal. The secreted high levels of α-gal passed through the semipermeable polymeric membrane. Using coculture system with Fabry fibroblasts, the secreted enzyme was taken up in cells, resulting in reduced accumulation of CTH in Fabry fibroblasts. This in vitro study demonstrated that an encapsulated α-gal-secreting cell line can be used to treat Fabry mice by transplantation in vivo. Judging from the protection against immune rejection by a semipermeable synthetic membrane, this novel approach may be applied to treat patients with Fabry disease and other lysosomal storage diseases.

Outcome of Patients with Amyloidosis after Renal Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience

Aims:

The prognostic outcome of patients with amyloidosis who receive a kidney transplant is controversial. The aim of the study was to analyze the renal transplantation outcome of patients with amyloidosis compared to transplant recipients with other kidney diseases.

Methods:

Among 940 patients who had renal transplantation in our unit between 1983 and 2009, 44 patients with amyloidosis were compared regarding early and late complications and survival, retrospectively, with a control group of 41 consecutive patients with the same donor type and a matched renal transplantation date.

Results:

The groups were similar regarding demographic parameters, HLA mismatch numbers and mean follow-up period. Groups were similar regarding early and late infectious and non-infectious complications, except recurrence of the primary disease, which was more common in the amyloidosis group. As the cause of graft loss, rejection (acute or chronic) was more common in the control group; whereas primary non-functioning graft, and death with a functioning graft were more common in the amyloidosis group. Patient survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 87.6%, 78.1%, and 62.3 in the amyloidosis group; and 93.2%, 82.6%, and 69.3% in the control group. Graft survival rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 87.6%, 75.4%, 56.4% in the amyloidosis group; and 93.2%, 80.3%, and 60.6% in the control group, respectively. These values did not show any statistical difference.

Conclusions:

The outcomes of renal transplantation in patients with amyloidosis are comparable with recipients whose primary problems are due to other kidney diseases; therefore, amyloidosis patients should be accepted as good candidates for transplantation.

A case of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) involving massive proteinuria (>50 g/day) immediately after renal transplantation

A 15-yr-old girl with end-stage kidney disease caused by primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) underwent a living-related donor kidney transplantation. The allograft functioned well immediately after reperfusion, but massive proteinuria exceeding 50 g/d appeared on day 3. Treatment with rituximab and plasma exchange (PE) successfully decreased the proteinuria to 10 g/d. A biopsy specimen on day 30 showed no segmental glomerulosclerosis but partial interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells. An increased number of podocytes showed intracytoplasmic vacuolization, and an electron micrograph showed diffuse mild subendothelial edema and foot process effacement. The podocytes were hypertrophied but were not detached from the basement membrane. As the therapies used to reduce the patient's proteinuria were having a limited effect, intravenous steroid pulse therapy followed by low-density lipoprotein apheresis was performed. A biopsy specimen taken on day 120 showed no segmental glomerulosclerosis. Thrombus formation in one glomerulus and packed lymphocytes in the capillary loop of another glomerulus were detected. The patient's clinical course was compatible with FSGS recurrence. Although the early pathological changes were not typical of FSGS, they might be indicative of the primary lesion that subsequently progresses to typical FSGS.

Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis in renal transplant recipients: predicting early disease recurrence may prolong allograft function

Recurrence of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) in the allograft following renal transplantation can be graft threatening. To assess risk factors associated with FSGS recurrence, we analyzed 22 patients with FSGS who underwent transplantation between 1996 and 2004. Five patients (Group I, 23%) developed FSGS post-transplantation. Of these patients, 60% had undergone bilateral nephrectomy (BN) for progressive disease compared with none of the patients that were free of recurrence (Group II) (p = 0.0006). Other factors linked with recurrent FSGS were time to first dialysis (Group I: 3.1 +/- 1.1 yr vs. Group II: 11.9 +/- 1.9 yr; p = 0.03), pre-transplant proteinuria (Group I: 7.0 +/- 1.8 g/d vs. Group II: 2.5 +/- 0.7 g/d; p = 0.02), young age at transplantation (p = 0.09) and female sex (Group I: 80% vs. Group II: 24%; p = 0.021). Eighty percent of Group I patients received a living related transplant vs. 24% in Group II (p = 0.021). All grafts continue to function at last follow-up with comparable serum creatinines. Overall, post-transplant FSGS recurrence may be associated with BN, severity of pre-transplant FSGS, female gender, and living donation. These patients should be monitored closely for early recurrence and may benefit from early plasmapheresis to restore and facilitate long-term graft function.

Kidney transplantation in patients with Fabry disease

Little is known about the effects of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in kidney transplant recipients with Fabry disease. Clinical characteristics of transplant recipients in the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS) were therefore examined in patients with Fabry disease with or without ERT. Of the 837 European patients in FOS (March 2006), 34 male patients and two female patients had received kidney transplants. Mean age at transplantation was 37.6 +/- 10.9 years, mean time since transplantation was 7.7 +/- 6.4 years, median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 44.4 ml/min/1.73 m(2), and median proteinuria was 296 mg/24 h. Of 27 patients with baseline data, 59% had hypertension, 74% had left ventricular hypertrophy, 22% had cardiac valve disease, 30% had arrhythmia, and 22% had transient ischaemic attacks and 15% stroke. Twenty patients (74%; two female patients, 18 male patients) were receiving ERT with agalsidase alfa. At enrollment or at the start of ERT, median eGFRs were 59 and 35 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (P = 0.05) and median proteinuria levels were 240 and 420 mg/24 h (not significant) in treated and untreated patients respectively. Renal function remained stable in patients receiving ERT. In conclusion, agalsidase alfa is well tolerated in patients with Fabry disease who have undergone renal transplantation.

Recurrent or de novo IgA nephropathy with crescent formation after renal transplantation

IgA nephropathy is the most common glomerular disease in China, accounting for 38.8% of primary glomerular disease. It has been reported that 20.8% patients of IgA nephropathy had a different degree of crescent formation. From January 1995 to December 2004, 1000 patients had undergone cadaveric renal transplantation, and 1742 allograft renal biopsies were reviewed in the Department of Nephrology at Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University. Among them, 18 cases were found with crescent formation, in which 10 patients were diagnosed as recurrent or de novo IgA nephropathy because their immunofluorescence showed strong IgA deposition in mesangial area and capillary. The initial treatment protocol was CsA+Azp+Pred, except in two cases of CsA+MMF+Pred. There were 8 males and 2 females, with ages from 25 to 69 (mean of 37.1) years old. All of them showed progressive renal dysfunction with increasing level of serum creatinine ranged from 1.48 to 6.25 mg/dL. Seven cases presented edema with an increasing level of proteinuria (1.36 to 3.58 g/24hr), and nine cases presented with hematuria ranging from 50 to 1250 x 10(4)/mL (one showed gross hematuria). In pathological examinations, they showed mesangial proliferation and matrix expansion with 10% to 66.7% crescents (mean of 37.5%) in their allograft renal biopsy's samples. All patients changed their immunosuppressive regimens; however, nine of them eventually advanced to ESRD and returned to hemodialysis after 6 to 36 months. Two cases received second renal transplantation after six months to five years, and one kept stable renal function with 2.5 mg/dL of serum creatinine after three years of follow-up. IgA nephropathy with crescentic formation was not rare in renal allografts or native glomerulonephritis in Chinese patients. These patients showed rapidly progressive renal dysfunction, and most of them lost graft function and needed hemodialysis therapy.

Recurrent Glomerulopathy in the Renal Allograft

The renal allograft is prone to develop almost all forms of glomerular diseases either as recurrent or de novo disease, with the exception of Alport's syndrome. Identification of recurrent glomerulonephritis requires an accurate diagnosis of pretransplant disease, which may not always be possible as it presents as end-stage renal disease at the time of transplantation. Posttransplantation glomerular diseases such as chronic allograft nephropathy, malignant hypertension, and thrombotic microangiopathy due to various causes may be mistaken for primary glomerulonephritis. In this article, an attempt has been made to identify the glomerular diseases that were detected in renal allografts over a 9-year period, comprising 950 cases in a tertiary care center in north India.

Severity of primary MPGN, rather than MPGN type, determines renal survival and post-transplantation recurrence risk

Previous studies suggested that membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type II has a worse renal survival and an unacceptable risk of recurrence post transplantation. We hypothesised that other factors may determine this risk. We analysed all cases (n=70) of MPGN diagnosed by renal biopsy in Ireland from 1972 to 1995. We used Cox regression analysis to determine factors that were independently predictive of renal failure. MPGN II had more crescent formation and mesangial proliferation (P<0.05). Mean follow-up duration was 13.8 years, during which time 41 (58.6%) developed end-stage renal failure (ESRF). The median time to ESRF was 8.3 years (95% confidence interval 5.7-10.9) and 5-, 10-, and 20-year probabilities of ESRF were 32, 54, and 70%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that severity of interstitial fibrosis (P<0.05), crescent formation (P<0. 01) and mesangial proliferation (P<0.05) were independently associated with ESRF. Decade of diagnosis, age, MPGN type, and creatinine or complement level at baseline did not predict renal survival in this model. In 21 (49%) of the 43 renal transplants, MPGN recurred. Younger age at initial diagnosis (P<0.01) and the presence of crescents on the original biopsy (P<0.005) were independently associated with recurrence on multivariate analysis. MPGN type was not associated with recurrence in this model. Contrary to previous reports, after controlling for crescent formation, MPGN II was not associated with more ESRF or recurrence in the allograft. It is therefore the more aggressive glomerular changes associated with MPGN II, rather than the disease type per se, that determine outcome.

Early recurrence of lupus nephritis after renal transplantation - a case report

The risk of recurrent lupus nephritis (LN) in renal transplant recipients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) used to be rare (1-4%). However, recent studies have suggested a higher rate of recurrence in SLE patients after renal transplantation (up to 30%). The interval from transplantation to recurrence of LN has been reported to vary from five days to eight years. We report here a renal transplant recipient with SLE who had recurrent LN 10 d after transplantation.

Glomerular Pathology of Allograft Kidneys in Hong Kong

AIMS

Our goal was to define the spectrum of glomerular diseases in allograft kidneys and to correlate them with clinical parameters.

METHODS

Eight hundred ninety-one renal graft biopsies and 43 graft nephrectomies from 1980 to 2004 were obtained from 442 allografts transplanted to 425 patients.

RESULTS

Glomerular diseases were diagnosed in 33% of kidney grafts. Indications for biopsy were baseline assessment (23 biopsies, 2.5%); renal dysfunction (790 biopsies, 88.7%); proteinuria (154 biopsies, 17.3%); hematuria (11 biopsies, 1.2%); and study protocol (four biopsies, 0.4%). The median time to take a biopsy was less than 8 months posttransplant. The mean time posttransplant when the biopsy diagnosis was made was 70 months for IgA nephropathy (IgAN); 66 months for transplant glomerulopathy (TG); 65 months for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG); 55 months for mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN); 45 months for membranous glomerulonephritis (GN); 49 months for mesangial proliferative GN; and 101 months for diabetic nephropathy. Recurrent glomerular disease was documented in 31 (7.0%) grafts. Specific glomerular diseases were diagnosed by biopsies in 106 (89.1%) of 119 proteinuric allografts.

CONCLUSIONS

Glomerulopathy was common in allografted kidneys. IgAN, TG, FSG, mesangial proliferative GN, and membranous GN were the majority. A higher proportion of grafts from donors related to the recipients than from unrelated donors showed IgAN (P < .05), suggesting that genetic factors might play a role in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Recurrence of glomerulopathy underlying ESRD was frequent for IgAN, FSG, and MCGN, but this was rarely seen in membranous GN.

IgA nephropathy with crescents in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Crescentic glomerulonephritis is an uncommon finding in renal allografts. Recurrence or de novo mesangial deposition of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in renal allografts most often is clinically benign, but some case reports have shown that IgA nephropathy in renal allografts can present as crescentic glomerulonephritis and may lead to rapid deterioration of graft function and/or graft loss.

METHODS

We reviewed diagnoses of all allograft biopsies at University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle, WA) from 1989 to 2003 and found 33 cases of glomerulonephritis with crescents. Eight of these cases were the result of recurrent or de novo IgA nephropathy. Clinical and pathological features of these patients were reviewed.

RESULTS

Six of 8 cases with crescents were the result of recurrent IgA nephropathy, and 2 cases were presumptive de novo IgA nephropathy. Of the 8 patients with IgA nephropathy with crescents, 6 patients presented clinically with increasing serum creatinine levels; 4 patients, with proteinuria; and 4 patients, with hematuria. In 6 patients, there was 10% to 30% involvement of glomeruli, with crescents partially or completely filling urinary spaces. The other patients showed lesser (approximately 7% of sampled glomeruli) involvement. Four patients with IgA nephropathy with crescents developed renal failure and returned to hemodialysis therapy. Three patients had a benign clinical course, with stabilization of renal function. One patient was lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We identified a cohort of patients with glomerulonephritis with crescents in renal allografts with IgA nephropathy as the cause. In half the affected patients, this led to early progressive renal insufficiency and return to hemodialysis therapy.

Effect of Amyloidosis on Long-Term Survival in Kidney Transplantation

Amyloidosis is characterized by the accumulation of an amorphous material in various organs and tissues secondary to a variety of inflammatory, immune, infectious, and hereditary diseases. Since 1975, our transplantation team has performed 1470 renal transplantations. Between 1985 and July 2004, among 1159 kidney transplantations, 953 (82.3%) were from living donors and 206 (17.7%) from cadaveric donors. There were 32 recipients (28 men, 4 women; mean age, 31.4 +/- 1.7 years; range, 21 to 48 years) with amyloidosis, including, 28 (87.5%) who received grafts from living donors and 4 (12.5%) from cadaveric donors. Amyloidosis was secondary to familial Mediterranean fever in 22 (68.7%) patients and rheumatoid arthritis in 1 (3.1%). The remaining 9 (28.1%) patients had primary amyloidosis. The mean follow-up time was 51.2 +/- 5.7 months (range, 2-124 months). Mean HLA mismatch rate was 2.2 +/- 1. Twenty-six (81.2%) patients are alive at this time with functioning grafts, and a mean serum creatinine value of 2.1 +/- 1.5 ng/dL. The 1- and 5-year patient and graft survival rates were 90.6% and 84.3%, and 81.2% and 68.7%, respectively. We conclude that patients with amyloidosis may undergo kidney transplantation safely expecting outcomes similar to those patients who receive transplantations for other reasons.

Recurrent nephrotic syndrome after living-related renal transplantation resistant to plasma exchange: report of two cases

We encountered two patients of recurrent nephrotic syndrome (NS) after renal transplantation that was resistant to plasma exchange (PEX). Case 1 was a 34-year-old man with a living-related renal transplant for type-I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) related end-stage renal disease (ESRD). He developed overt proteinuria 7 months post-transplant and presented with NS 5 months later. Biopsy of the transplant kidney revealed recurrent type I MPGN, but no features of acute rejection (AR) or chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). He was treated with cyclophosphamide (CP), oral prednisolone (40 mg/d), an anti-platelet agent, heparin sulfate, and PEX, but the nephrotic state persisted and renal function was deteriorated. He recommenced hemodialysis 3 yr and 9 months after renal transplant. Case 2 was a 47-year-old male who underwent living-related renal transplant for ESRD due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). He presented with proteinuria shortly after renal transplantation. He also had frequent episodes of AR. Graft biopsy revealed recurrent FSGS. Treatment of pulse methylprednisolone and PEX was transiently effective, but NS relapsed shortly after PEX. Graft biopsy at our hospital showed features of CAN with moderate interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, presence of intraglomerular foam cells but no segmental sclerosis. Treatment with 12 courses of low-density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL-A) reduced proteinuria from 9.6 to 2.0 g/d, and incomplete remission has been maintained for more than 1 yr after LDL-A with slowly progressive renal dysfunction. Despite recent therapeutic advances, including the use of immunosuppressants and PEX, treatment of recurrent disease remains difficult. The LDL-A might be useful in cases with recurrent FSGS resistant to PEX.

Living-Unrelated Donors Yield Higher Graft Survival Rates than Parental Donors

BACKGROUND

Living-unrelated donors (LURD) have been shown to yield kidney graft survival rates equivalent to that of related donors. Here, we show that in three diseases, LURDs supply grafts that survive at a higher rate than parental or offspring donors.

METHODS

We analyzed 111,643 first adult kidney transplants from the United Network for Organ Sharing database performed between 1991 and 2003 by Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazard tests.

RESULTS

Five-year kidney graft survival rates in patients receiving grafts from LURD, parental, and offspring donors were 75.4%, 74.3%, and 75.7% among patients with typical original diseases excluding three diseases. In focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS), the corresponding results were 87.4%, 70.1%, and 81.6%. In polycystic kidney disease (PC) rates were 86.4%, 78.6%, and 85.3%, and in diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) rates were 75.9%, 69.8%, and 70.5%. Parental donors yielded significantly lower graft survival rates than LURDs in all three diseases. Although statistically significant differences were lost in the Cox tests, functional graft survival showed significantly lower graft survival rates from parental donors compared with LURDs, suggesting that donor age was a significant factor.

CONCLUSIONS

If living donors are considered for kidney transplantation into patients with FGS, PC, or type 1 DM, grafts from LURD are preferred over parental and offspring donors. Although genetic susceptibility of parental and offspring donor grafts may be a factor, the simple donor age factor probably results in lower survival of parental donor grafts. Lower survival of offspring donor grafts may suggest genetic susceptibility because such donors were, in general, younger than in LURD grafts.

Unusual post-transplantation recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis which resolved with cyclosporine but not with sirolimus

Recurrence of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is frequent after the first kidney transplantation (KT), but a recurrence that only occurred after the second KT has never been reported. Although cyclosporine reduces proteinuria and prolongs graft survival in patients with recurrent glomerulosclerosis, the effectiveness of sirolimus for this condition is still not known. We report, for the first time as far as we know, the case of a 35-year-old black male patient who experienced a recurrence of FSGS, 10 days after a second KT, although no recurrence had occurred after the first. Cyclosporine treatment led to a decrease in proteinuria, whereas mycophenolate mofetil and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor had no effect. Cyclosporine was replaced by sirolimus as treatment for chronic allograft nephropathy 24 months after KT. Nephrotic syndrome, which reappeared 3 weeks after the switch, was cured by cyclosporine re-introduction. The absence of FSGS recurrence after the first graft does not totally preclude its recurrence after the second. This observation points to the effectiveness of cyclosporine for the recurrence of FSGS and indicates that sirolimus should be given with caution in such cases.

Early glomerular dysfunction in human renal allografts

BACKGROUND

The long-term outcome of renal allografts is characterized by a progressive deterioration of renal function and graft loss. Our aim was to determine early glomerular functional abnormalities, before they become clinically apparent.

METHODS

Glomerular hemodynamics and dextran sieving were characterized in 21 well-functioning cadaveric renal allograft recipients [normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albumin excretion rate (AER), who also had a kidney biopsy with normal or minimal histological changes] and in 15 uninephrectomized kidney donors. Both groups were one to three years after transplantation or uninephrectomy.

RESULTS

The GFR and renal plasma flow (RPF) were similar in both groups (62 +/- 3 vs. 63 +/- 4, and 343 +/- 26 vs. 334 +/- 21 mL/min/1.73 m2 for GFR and RPF, in cadaveric recipients vs. donors, respectively), the AER was normal in both groups, but the mean arterial pressure was higher in renal recipients (103 +/- 3 vs. 94 +/- 3 mm Hg in uninephrectomy controls, P < 0.05). Despite similar levels of overall glomerular function in the two groups, the dextran sieving curve was uniformly elevated in the renal allograft recipients versus uninephrectomy controls (P < 0.05 for dextrans 38 to 66 A). Using a log-normal glomerular pore-size distribution model to analyze potential mechanisms, the elevation in the dextran sieving curve resulted from a shift in the distribution of glomerular filtering pores to a larger size (mean glomerular pore size 46 +/- 2 vs. 43 +/- 2 A for uninephrectomy controls, P < 0.05), resulting in a larger fraction of filtrate volume permeating very large pores. By morphometric analysis, the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane was increased in kidney allograft as compared to 2-kidney biopsy controls (614 +/- 33 vs. 427 +/- 22 nm, respectively, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Even in "well functioning" renal allografts there is a glomerular dysfunction characterized by increased permeability to macromolecules resulting from a shift of the glomerular pores to a larger size. These changes could be mediated by ultrastructural alterations at the glomerular capillary or by alterations in intraglomerular hemodynamics. Early allograft dysfunction may contribute to the progressive renal insufficiency of renal allografts.

Glomerulonephritis is the major cause of proteinuria in renal transplant recipients: histopathologic findings of renal allografts with proteinuria

The proteinuria in renal allograft recipients has been regarded as a sign of poor prognosis. The causes of post-transplant proteinuria include chronic rejection, chronic transplant glomerulopathy, glomerulonephritis (GN), acute rejection, and cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. Among them, chronic rejection is known to be most frequent. We analyzed the histopathologic findings of renal allograft biopsies in 197 Korean recipients with proteinuria. Among them, 26 patients developed proteinuria over 500 mg/d. All patients received baseline immunosuppression with cyclosporine. From 26 patients with post-transplant proteinuria, 29 biopsies were performed and their histologic diagnoses were immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) in 17, IgAN combined with chronic allograft nephropathy in 1, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 2, crescentic GN in 1, membranous GN in 1, diabetic nephropathy in 1, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis in 1, and chronic rejection in 3 biopsies. The remaining two biopsies showed nonspecific findings. The most common cause of post-transplant proteinuria was IgAN (62% of biopsies). The incidence of chronic rejection was relatively low and predominant cyclosporine-associated changes were not observed. In conclusion, our data suggest that the main causes of post-transplant proteinuria in Korea are primary glomerulonephritides rather than chronic rejection or cyclosporine nephrotoxicity, and the kidney allograft biopsies from patients with proteinuria should be handled as native kidney.

Recurrent type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in a renal allograft: successful treatment with plasmapheresis

Recurrent disease is increasingly recognized as a cause of renal allograft dysfunction and failure. We describe a patient with type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis not associated with hepatitis C. The glomerular disease recurred in the renal allograft within 1 month of transplantation, leading to acute allograft dysfunction and nephrotic syndrome. Aggressive treatment with prednisone and plasmapheresis resulted in improvement in kidney function, improvement of the light microscopic picture, and removal of immune complexes from the glomerular subendothelial space.

Retrovirus-mediated transfer of human alpha-galactosidase A gene to human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells

Fabry disease, caused by a deficiency of lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-gal A), is one of the inherited disorders potentially treatable by gene transfer to hematopoietic stem cells. In this study, a high-titer amphotropic retroviral producer cell line, MFG-alpha-gal A, was established. CD34+ cells from normal umbilical cord blood were transduced by centrifugal enhancement. The alpha-gal A activity in transduced cells increased 3.6-fold above the activity in nontransduced cells. Transduction efficiency measured by PCR for the integrated alpha-gal A cDNA in CFU-GM colonies was in the range of 42-88% (average, 63%). The expression of functional enzyme in TFI erythroleukemia was sustained for as long as cells remained in culture (84 days) and for 28 days in LTC-IC cultures of CD34+ cells. The ability of the transduced CD34+ cells to secrete the enzyme and to correct enzyme-deficient Fabry fibroblasts was assessed by cocultivation of these cells. The enzyme was secreted into the medium from transduced CD34+ cells and taken up by Fabry fibroblasts through mannose 6-phosphate receptors. These findings suggest that genetically corrected hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells can be an enzymatic source for neighboring enzyme-deficient cells, and can potentially be useful for gene therapy of Fabry disease.

First report of tropical myositis and crescentic glomerulonephritis in a renal transplant recipient

We describe a renal transplant recipient who presented with tropical myositis and acute allograft dysfunction 2(1/2) years after transplantation. Graft biopsy showed immune-complex crescentic glomerulonephritis. He was receiving only 7.5 mg/d of prednisolone for more than 2 months before presentation. Renal function did not improve despite treatment with antibiotics, methylprednisolone pulse therapy, and cyclophosphamide. He died of septicemia.

Immunohistochemical characterization of transgenic mice highly expressing human lysosomal alpha-galactosidase

Human lysosomal alpha-galactosidase predominantly hydrolyzes ceramide trihexoside. A transgenic mouse line, C57BL/6CrSIc-TgN(GLA) 1951 Rin, highly expressing human alpha-galactosidase, has been established and investigated biochemically and immunohistochemically in order to clarify the distribution of the expressed enzyme proteins and to evaluate it as a donor model of organ transplantation therapy for Fabry disease caused by a genetic defect of alpha-galactosidase. In these transgenic mice, about five copies of the transgene were integrated, and alpha-galactosidase activity was expressed in liver, kidney, heart, spleen, small intestine, submaxillary gland, skeletal muscle, cerebrum, cerebellum, bone marrow cells and serum. The enzyme activity was about 22 to 11,080-fold higher than that in non-transgenic mice. In liver, heart and kidney tissues, which are important organs for transplantation studies, sufficient amounts of alpha-galactosidase mRNAs were transcribed, and the expressed enzymes, with molecular weights of 54-60 kDa, are abundant in the liver (enzyme activity: 53,965 nmol h-1 mg-1 protein) and heart (39,906 nmol h-1 mg-1 protein), followed by in the kidney tissue (9177 nmol h-1 mg-1 protein), respectively. An immunohistochemical microscopic study clearly demonstrated the distribution of the expressed enzyme proteins in kidney and liver tissues. Highly expressed alpha-galactosidase was detected in glomerular cells, tubular cells and hepatocytes. These transgenic mice will be useful as a donor model for experimental organ transplantation, and also it will enable recurrent biopsies and long-term observation. The organ transplantation data on mice will provide us with important information.

Single-center long-term results of renal transplantation for IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Previous reports with short-term follow-up after renal transplantation for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) have suggested an incidence of recurrence up to 50%, an increased recurrence with living-related donors, and the rarity of graft loss due to recurrence. In this study, the long-term results of renal transplantation for IgAN were examined.

METHODS

Between June 1980 and December 1994, 54 patients (61 renal transplants) with end-stage renal disease due to IgA nephropathy were performed at the University of California San Francisco. Actuarial patient and graft survival were compared with a matched reference group. Correlates of recurrent disease (biopsy confirmed) and graft loss were determined.

RESULTS

Patient and graft survival for IgA patients were good (100% and 75%, respectively, at 5 years after transplant). Graft survival was lower in IgA recipients with living-related compared with cadaveric renal allografts (P<0.09) and also with renal allografts well matched at HLA-AB (< or =2 AB mismatches) (P<0.09) or HLA-DR (< or =1 mismatch) (P<0.01). Recurrence was not correlated with donor status, recipient age, race, gender, or immunosuppression. Recurrence (18 of 61) resulted in substantial graft loss (6 of 18) or deteriorating renal function (4 of 18) at a mean follow-up of 61 months. Mean time to diagnosis of recurrence and subsequent graft loss was 31 and 63 months, respectively. Despite re-recurrence of IgAN in three of five patients who were retransplanted, all have good long-term renal function.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial graft loss due to recurrent disease after renal transplantation for IgAN occurs with long-term follow-up. Living-related transplantation and HLA matching do not appear to confer an advantage for graft survival in patients with IgAN. Despite the potential for recurrence, IgAN patients enjoy good long-term graft survival.

Frequency of recurrent lupus nephritis among ninety-seven renal transplant patients during the cyclosporine era

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of recurrent lupus nephritis (LN) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who underwent renal transplantation.

METHODS

We reviewed the posttransplant clinical course and renal biopsy results in 97 consecutive SLE patients who underwent a total of 106 renal transplantation procedures at our center from January 1984 to September 1996.

RESULTS

There were 81 female and 16 male patients, with a mean age of 35 years. Mean duration of dialysis prior to transplantation was 33.5 months; 9 patients were never dialyzed. In all patients, the disease was clinically and serologically quiescent at the time of transplantation. The mean posttransplantation followup period was 62.6 months. Patients underwent a total of 143 posttransplant biopsies. Nine patients had pathologic evidence of recurrent LN. Six of the patients with recurrence had cadaveric grafts, 2 had living-related grafts, and 1 had a living-unrelated graft. Recurrence occurred an average of 3.1 years after transplantation; the longest interval was 9.3 years and the shortest, 5 days. Histopathologic diagnoses on recurrence included diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, focal proliferative glomerulonephritis, membranous glomerulonephritis, and mesangial glomerulonephritis. In 4 patients, recurrent LN contributed to graft loss. Three of the patients with recurrence had serologic evidence of active lupus, but only 1 had symptoms of active lupus (arthritis). Three patients who lost their grafts secondary to recurrent LN underwent second renal transplantation procedures and had functioning grafts at 7, 30, and 35 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In the largest single medical center series of renal transplant patients with SLE, recurrent LN was more common than reported in the literature, but was not always associated with allograft loss. Recurrent LN was often present in the absence of clinical and serologic evidence of active SLE.

Posttransplant medical complications

A variety of medical, surgical, social, and psychiatric problems affect the renal allograft rejection, thromboembolic disease, infectious events and gastrointestinal disorders. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia appear around 3 months and may remain throughout the posttransplant period. The late complication are atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, malignancy hepatic failure, chronic rejection, denovo and recurrent renal disease, posttransplant diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, cataracts and skin lesions. Routine follow up of all transplanted patients at specialized centers is critical for early detection and management of these complications. Such practice would reduce the patient morbidity and mortality and lead to an improved long-term outcome.

Recurrent type III membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis after kidney transplantation

The first well-documented case of recurrent type III membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis after kidney transplantation is reported in this article. A 48-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of nephrotic syndrome and moderate renal failure. The renal biopsy showed double-contour images at light microscopy. Electron microscopy revealed electron-dense deposits in the mesangium and in both the subepithelial and subendothelial sides of the basement membrane. Subepithelial deposits were sometimes hump-like and produced an irregular disruption of the lamina densa. A diagnosis of type III membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was suggested. The patient had a rapid decrease in renal function and received dialysis in 3 months. Three years later, he received a cadaveric kidney transplant, and subsequently recovered normal renal function. Proteinuria appeared after 13 months, and a biopsy of the graft demonstrated recurrence of the original disease. Seven years after transplantation, he returned to hemodialysis.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Over the last 2 decades, we have learnt that focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a ubiquitous phenomenon underlying the progressive deterioration of many different types of renal diseases in both pediatric and adult populations. FSGS may also be the primary renal lesion, whether in new disease entities such as glycogen storage disease and human immunodeficiency virus infection, or in idiopathic FSGS. Although the mechanism which triggers the development of primary FSGS still remains unknown, laboratory and clinical studies have identified several key pathophysiological events leading to end-stage renal disease. While therapeutic modalities have not changed remarkably, a recent study, although uncontrolled, demonstrated an impressive efficacy of intravenous steroid pulse therapy in inducing remission. Nevertheless, it remains largely unknown whether such a forced remission decreases the overall risk of developing chronic renal failure. Studies have revealed an important pathophysiological role of angiotensin and the therapeutic efficacy of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in progressive loss of renal function in diseases where glomerulosclerosis is secondary; however, it remains to be verified whether these results hold true in primary FSGS. As a result of the improvement in allograft survival rate, the benefit of renal transplant outweighs the risk of recurrence of FSGS, hence transplantation continues to be a vital therapy for FSGS patients who have reached renal failure. Thus, FSGS is not one disease, but rather a range of lesions seen in many settings. The type of lesions and the patient's unique genetic factors contribute to prognosis, and also may dictate choice of optimum therapy.