NPHS2 gene mutations in azerbaijani children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by proteinuria in children. Steroid- resistant NS (SRNS) is defined by resistance to standard steroid therapy, and it continues to be one of the most common causes of chronic renal failure. Molecular studies have revealed specialized molecules in different regions of the podocytes that play a role in proteinuria. Mutations in NPHS2 that encode for podocin constitute a frequent cause of SRNS worldwide. This study aimed to screen for podocin mutations in Azerbaijani patients with SRNS. Our study included 21 pediatric patients with SRNS aged between 0 and 18 years and the same number of healthy control groups. Mutational analysis of the NPHS2 gene was performed using direct sequencing methods. Disease-causing mutations in the NPHS2 gene were detected in eight patients (38%). Thirteen patients (62%) had NPHS2 mutations without causing the disease. Two patients had p.Val290Met homozygous mutation; two had p.Arg229Gln homozygous mutations; and one each had p.Pro20Leu homozygote, p.Leu169Pro homozygote, p.Arg138Gln homozygote, and p.Arg168His homozygous mutations. When we correlated the NPHS2 mutation status with disease progression, there was a statistically significant increase in serum creatinine, proteinuria, and serum albumin values in patients with NPHS2 gene mutations compared to the group without mutation (P <0.05). Our study concludes that mutations of the NPHS2 gene (38%) are heterogeneous in Azerbaijani SRNS patients. Based on our results, we support a model in which ethnicity plays an important role in certain NPHS2 mutations. NPHS2 mutation analysis may help to better predict the course of the disease, remove unnecessary long-term immunosuppressive therapy, and develop specific treatment.

Socialization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Social and Scientific Networks During Social Distancing

In the COVID-19 era, while we are encouraged to be physically far away from each other, social and scientific networking is needed more than ever. The dire consequences of social distancing can be diminished by social networking. Social media, a quintessential component of social networking, facilitates the dissemination of reliable information and fighting against misinformation by health authorities. Distance learning, telemedicine, and telehealth are among the most prominent applications of networking during this pandemic. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of collaborative scientific efforts. In this chapter, we summarize the advantages of harnessing both social and scientific networking in minimizing the harms of this pandemic. We also discuss the extra collaborative measures we can take in our fight against COVID-19, particularly in the scientific field.

NPHS2 gene sequencing results in children of the Azerbaijani population with different types of nephrotic syndrome caused by chronic glomerulonephritis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to determine the mutation of the podocin gene (NPHS2) in children with minimal changes diseases (steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (NS)) and steroid resistant NS.

BACKGROUND

Despite the fact that the role of genetic factors is a well-known phenomenon, in NS there are still unknown aspects that are yet to be discovered. NS, type 2 is caused by NPHS2 gene and is characterised with proteinuria, minimal change disease on renal biopsy, poor response to steroid treatment, etc.METHODS: Twenty-nine children (65.5 % male, 34.5 % female) with nephrotic syndrome caused by chronic glomerulonephritis were examined and patients were tested for NPHS2 gene with Sanger technique.

RESULTS

The average age was 7.2 ± 2.65 years. 82.8 % of patients had NS with minimal changes, 17.2 % had a steroid resistant NS. The analysis of the NPHS2 gene revealed a likely pathogenic (Arg168His), uncertain significance (Pro20Ley, Leu169Pro, Val180Met, Arg229Gln, Val290Met) and benign (Gly34Gly, Ala318Ala) variants. No novel variants were detected.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study investigating the nephrotic syndrome related to NPHS2 gene in Azerbaijani population. The high prevalence of uncertain significance variants emphasises the importance of population studies in this region as such data are necessary for classifications of the detected genetic variants (Tab. 1, Ref. 25).