Renal involvement in bone marrow transplantation

A Case of the nephrotic syndrome in bone marrow transplantation recipient, histologically showing overlapped glomerular lesions of thrombotic microangiopathy and membranous nephropathy

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) rarely occurs in post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients but represents the renal manifestation of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Membranous nephropathy (MN) accounts for almost two thirds of post-HSCT NS and is caused by immune complex deposition. Renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) without fulfillment of clinical criteria for TMA has been underreported because of reduced opportunity for histological examination. However, renal TMA has recently been reported in association with GVHD and humoral immunological reactions. Although both MN and TMA after HSCT are associated with GVHD and immunological abnormalities, these diseases are exceptionally coexistent in renal biopsy specimens. We herein describe a case of post-HSCT NS, histologically showing overlapped lesions of TMA and MN. Renal biopsy specimen after presentation of NS revealed early stage MN and TMA with evidence of chronicity. TMA was thought to have preceded MN, and renal biopsy at the phase of pre-nephrotic proteinuria might reveal earlier histological changes of isolated renal TMA. Detection of subclinical renal TMA earlier by spontaneous renal biopsy can help prevent progression of renal injury or overlapping of other renal pathologies. We also demonstrated Th2 predominant intraglomerular infiltration of lymphocytes by immunohistochemistry.

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is defined by the simultaneous occurrence of nonimmune haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. This leads to the pathological lesion termed thrombotic microangiopathy, which mainly affects the kidney, as well as other organs. HUS is associated with endothelial cell injury and platelet activation, although the underlying cause may differ. Most cases of HUS are associated with gastrointestinal infection with Shiga toxin-producing enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains. Atypical HUS (aHUS) is associated with complement dysregulation due to mutations or autoantibodies. In this review, we will describe the causes of HUS. In addition, we will review the clinical, pathological, haematological and biochemical features, epidemiology and pathogenetic mechanisms as well as the biochemical, microbiological, immunological and genetic investigations leading to diagnosis. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the different subtypes of HUS enables tailoring of appropriate treatment and management. To date, there is no specific treatment for EHEC-associated HUS but patients benefit from supportive care, whereas patients with aHUS are effectively treated with anti-C5 antibody to prevent recurrences, both before and after renal transplantation.

Chronic kidney disease after autologous stem cell transplantation: analysis of a single center experience

PURPOSE

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has increasingly been reported. However, CKD after autologous HSCT, especially changes in renal pathology, has rarely been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of CKD among patients who received autologous HSCT for hematological and nonhematological disorders, and analyze its clinical and pathological features.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the frequency of CKD after autologous HSCT and analyzed clinical and pathological features of CKD. Clinical records of patients who underwent autologous HSCT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between May 2000 and November 2010 were screened. Clinical data of those with kidney injury on presentation and follow-up were acquired from hospital records.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients who received autologous HSCT were identified. CKD developed in six patients (14.6%). Among the six patients, all had various degrees of proteinuria and three patients had nephrotic syndrome. Impaired renal function occurred in three patients. Three patients with nephrotic syndrome received only prednisone. Two patients obtained complete remission, and one had partial remission. What is particularly worth mentioning is, in two patients who received renal biopsy in our study, the pathological changes were mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

CONCLUSIONS

Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis may not be as uncommon as previously thought in CKD patients after autologous HSCT. Presentation of nephrotic syndrome is common in CKD after HSCT and prednisone alone are effective.

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a major complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In this study, we examined the clinical and pathologic features of 2 patients and 5 autopsy cases with HSCT-associated renal TMA to clarify the association between graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and renal TMA. The median interval between HSCT and renal biopsy or autopsy was 7 months (range 3-42 months). Clinically, acute and chronic GVHD occurred in 7 and 4 patients, respectively. Clinical evidence for TMA was detected in 2 patients, while chronic kidney disease developed in all patients. The main histopathological findings were diffuse endothelial injury in glomeruli, peritubular capillaries (PTCs), and small arteries. In addition, all cases showed glomerulitis, renal tubulitis, and peritubular capillaritis with infiltration of CD3+ T cells and TIA-1+ cytotoxic cells, suggesting that GVHD occurred during the development of TMA. Diffuse and patchy C4d deposition was noted in glomerular capillaries and PTCs, respectively, in 2 biopsy and 2 autopsy cases, suggesting the involvement of antibody-mediated renal endothelial injury in more than 50% of renal TMA cases. In conclusion, the kidney is a potential target of chronic GVHD that may induce the development of HSCT-associated TMA. Importantly, some cases are associated with chronic humoral GVHD.

Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of paraneoplastic glomerulonephritis

Paraneoplastic glomerulonephritis is a rare complication of malignancy that is frequently mistaken for idiopathic glomerulonephritis. Failure to recognize paraneoplastic glomerulonephritis can subject patients to ineffective and potentially harmful therapy. The pathology of paraneoplastic glomerulonephritis varies between different types of malignancies. This Review discusses the association of glomerulonephritis with both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The pathogenetic mechanisms of many glomerular lesions seem to relate to altered immune responses in the presence of a malignancy. Studies in the Buffalo/Mna rat model of spontaneous thymoma and nephrotic syndrome indicate that polarization of the immune response toward a T-helper-2 (T(H)2) profile has an important role in the development of thymoma-associated glomerular lesions. Furthermore, overexpression of the T(H)2 cytokine interleukin 13 in rats induces minimal change disease. Such findings from experimental studies might facilitate the identification of biomarkers that can distinguish paraneoplastic glomerulonephritis from idiopathic and other secondary glomerulonephritides. This Review describes potential pathogenetic mechanisms for paraneoplastic glomerulonephritides associated with different malignancies and highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with paraneoplastic glomerulonephritis.

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy associated with chronic humoral graft versus host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a known complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The pathogenesis of TMA is controversial but considered to involve various factors such as total body irradiation, use of calcineurin inhibitors for prophylaxis against graft versus host disease (GVHD), viral infection, and GVHD. Herein we describe a case with renal TMA after HSCT, which was probably associated with antibody-mediated endothelial cell injury from chronic GVHD (termed here 'chronic humoral GVHD'). A 49-year-old man presented two years after HSCT with renal dysfunction and proteinuria but without the clinical features of TMA. Histopathological examination of renal biopsy showed chronic glomerular endothelial cell injury with double contour of the glomerular basement membrane, microthrombi and the deposition of complement split product C4d along the glomerular capillaries. Renal tubulitis and peritubular capillaritis were also noted with a multilayered basement membrane and patchy C4d deposition on peritubular capillaries. These findings resemble those of chronic antibody-mediated rejection after kidney transplantation. Furthermore, C4d deposition suggests complement activation. Although circulating anti-blood type and anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies were not detected, the renal TMA in this case was probably associated with chronic humoral GVHD.

Glomerulonephritis after hematopoietic cell transplantation: IgA nephropathy with increased excretion of galactose-deficient IgA1

We report the development of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) following full myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in two patients with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched sibling donors, unrelated to active or chronic graft-versus-host disease. Both recipients had elevated urinary levels of galactose-deficient IgA1, and one donor-recipient pair had elevated serum levels of galactose-deficient IgA1. We propose that IgAN developed after bone marrow transplantation due to a non-graft-versus-host-disease-related multi-hit process associated with glomerular deposition of galactose-deficient IgA1. These two cases provide unique insight into the kinetics of overproduction of galactose-deficient IgA1 and its glomerular deposition and consequential renal injury in IgAN.

Nephrotic syndrome in a child after umbilical-cord-blood transplantation

We report a 12-year-old girl who developed nephrotic syndrome 6 months after umbilical-cord-blood transplantation (UCBT) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (L2). In addition to nephrotic syndrome, she also showed autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Since these symptoms were manifested during the course of tapering immunosuppressive agents, a diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was made. Findings from a kidney biopsy were compatible with minimal-change disease (MCD), and focal glomerular capillary thrombosis and mild tubular damage were also noted. She was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone. Proteinuria disappeared in 14 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms, anemia and thrombocytopenia were also corrected. This is a case report of nephrotic syndrome as a manifestation of chronic GVHD developed after stem-cell transplantation. A review of the cases reported in the literature is also made.