Performance of the ACMG-AMP criteria in a large familial renal glucosuria cohort with identified SLC5A2 sequence variants

Familial Renal Glucosuria (FRG) is a co-dominantly inherited trait characterized by orthoglycaemic glucosuria. From 2003 to 2015 we have reported several cohorts validating SLC5A2 (16p11.2), encoding SGLT2 (Na+/glucose cotransporter family member 2), as the gene responsible for FRG. The aim of this work was to validate the variants identified in our extended FRG cohort of published, as well more recent unreported cases, according to the ACMG-AMP 2015 criteria. Forty-six variants were evaluated, including 16 novel alleles first described in this study. All are rare, ultra-rare or absent from population databases and most are missense changes. According to the ACMG-AMP standards, only 74% of the variants were classified as P/LP. The lack of descriptions of unrelated patients with similar variants or failing to test additional affected family members, averted a conclusion for pathogenicity in the alleles that scored VUS, highlighting the importance of both family testing and variant reporting. Finally, the cryo-EM structure of the hSGLT2-MAP17 complex in the empagliflozin-bound state improved the ACMG-AMP pathogenicity score by identifying critical/functional protein domains.

Hypothalamic POMC Deficiency Improves Glucose Tolerance Despite Insulin Resistance by Increasing Glycosuria

Hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is essential for the physiological regulation of energy balance; however, its role in glucose homeostasis remains less clear. We show that hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (Arc)POMC-deficient mice, which develop severe obesity and insulin resistance, unexpectedly exhibit improved glucose tolerance and remain protected from hyperglycemia. To explain these paradoxical phenotypes, we hypothesized that an insulin-independent pathway is responsible for the enhanced glucose tolerance. Indeed, the mutant mice demonstrated increased glucose effectiveness and exaggerated glycosuria relative to wild-type littermate controls at comparable blood glucose concentrations. Central administration of the melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan II in mutant mice reversed alterations in glucose tolerance and glycosuria, whereas, conversely, administration of the antagonist Agouti-related peptide (Agrp) to wild-type mice enhanced glucose tolerance. The glycosuria of ArcPOMC-deficient mice was due to decreased levels of renal GLUT 2 (rGLUT2) but not sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 and was associated with reduced renal catecholamine content. Epinephrine treatment abolished the genotype differences in glucose tolerance and rGLUT2 levels, suggesting that reduced renal sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity is the underlying mechanism for the observed glycosuria and improved glucose tolerance in ArcPOMC-deficient mice. Therefore, the ArcPOMC-SNS-rGLUT2 axis is potentially an insulin-independent therapeutic target to control diabetes.

Novel SLC5A2 variants contribute to renal glucosuria in Chinese families: abnormal expression and dysfunction of variant SLC5A2

Familial renal glucosuria (FRG) is characterized by persistent glucosuria despite normal serum glucose and the absence of overt tubular dysfunction. Variants in solute carrier family 5 (sodium-glucose cotransporter), member 2 (SLC5A2) have been reported in FRG patients. However, the functional and expression-related consequences of such variants have been scarcely investigated. In the current study, we studied five FRG families and identified six missense mutations, including four novel variants (c.1051T>C/.(C351R), c.1400T>C/p.(V467A), c.1420G>C/p.(A474P), c.1691G>A/p.(R564Q); RNA not analyzed) and two variants that had been previously reported (c.294C>A/p.(F98L), c.736C>T/p.(P246S); RNA not analyzed). The probands were either heterozygous or compound heterozygous for SLC5A2 variants and had glucosuria of 5.9%-19.6 g/day. Human 293 cells were transfected with plasmid constructs to study the expression and function of SLC5A2 variants in vitro. Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of SLC5A2-351R-GFP, SLC5A2-467A-GFP, SLC5A2-474P-GFP, and SLC5A2-564Q-GFP were significantly decreased compared with wild-type SLC5A2-GFP (37%-55%). Confocal microscopy revealed that three variants (c.1400T>C, c.1420G>C, c.1691G>A) resulted in a loss of the punctate membrane pattern typical of wild-type SLC5A2. All variants had a significantly lower transport capacity in than the wild-type control. The current study provides a starting point to further investigate the molecular mechanism of SLC5A2 in FRG families and provides functional clues for antidiabetes drugs.

Hydrogen sulfide deficiency and diabetic renal remodeling: role of matrix metalloproteinase-9

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) causes adverse remodeling, whereas hydrogen sulfide (H2S) rescues organs in vascular diseases. The involvement of MMP-9 and H2S in diabetic renovascular remodeling is, however, not well characterized. We determined whether MMP-9 regulates H2S generation and whether H2S modulates connexin through N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R)-mediated pathway in the diabetic kidney. Wild-type (WT, C57BL/6J), diabetic (Akita, C57BL/6J-Ins2(Akita)), MMP-9(-/-) (M9KO), double knockout (DKO) of Akita/MMP-9(-/-) mice and in vitro cell culture were used in our study. Hyperglycemic Akita mice exhibited increased level of MMP-9 and decreased production of H2S. H2S-synthesizing enzymes cystathionine-β-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase were also diminished. In addition, increased expressions of NMDA-R1 and connexin-40 and -43 were observed in diabetic kidney. As expected, MMP-9 mRNA was not detected in M9KO kidneys. However, very thin protein expression and activity were detected. No other changes were noticed in M9KO kidney. In DKO mice, all the above molecules showed a trend toward baseline despite hyperglycemia. In vitro, glomerular endothelial cells treated with high glucose showed induction of MMP-9, attenuated H2S production, NMDA-R1 induction, and dysregulated conexin-40 and -43 expressions. Silencing MMP-9 by siRNA or inhibition of NMDA-R1 by MK801 or H2S treatment preserved connexin-40 and -43. We conclude that in diabetic renovascular remodeling MMP-9 plays a major role and that H2S has therapeutic potential to prevent adverse diabetic renal remodeling.

Heterogeneous stock rats: a new model to study the genetics of renal phenotypes

Chronic kidney disease is a growing medical concern, with an estimated 25.6 million people in the United States exhibiting some degree of kidney injury and/or decline in kidney function. Animal models provide great insight into the study of the genetics of complex diseases. In particular, heterogeneous stock (HS) rats represent a unique genetic resource enabling rapid fine-mapping of complex traits. However, they have not been explored as a model to study renal phenotypes. To evaluate the usefulness of HS rats in the genetics of renal traits, a time course evaluation (weeks 8-40) was performed for several renal phenotypes. As expected, a large degree of variation was seen for most renal traits. By week 24, three (of 40) rats exhibited marked proteinuria that increased gradually until week 40 and ranged from 33.7 to 80.2 mg/24 h. Detailed histological analysis confirmed renal damage in these rats. In addition, several rats consistently exhibited significant hematuria (5/41). Interestingly, these rats were not the same rats that exhibited proteinuria, indicating that susceptibility to different types of kidney injury is likely segregating within the HS population. One HS rat exhibited unilateral renal agenesis (URA), which was accompanied by a significant degree of proteinuria and glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury. The parents of this HS rat were identified and bred further. Additional offspring of this pair were observed to exhibit URA at frequency between 40% and 60%. In summary, these novel data demonstrate that HS rats exhibit variation in proteinuria and other kidney-related traits, confirming that the model harbors susceptibility alleles for kidney injury and providing the basis for further genetic studies.

Familial renal glucosuria: SLC5A2 mutation analysis and evidence of salt-wasting

Familial renal glucosuria (FRG) is an inherited renal tubular disorder characterized by persistent isolated glucosuria in the absence of hyperglycemia. Mutations in the sodium/glucose co-transporter SGLT2 coding gene, SLC5A2, were recently found to be responsible for the disorder. Here, we report the molecular and phenotype study of five unrelated FRG families. Five patients were identified and their family members screened for glucosuria. SLC5A2 coding region of index cases was polymerase chain reaction amplified and sequenced. Five different mutations are reported, including four novel alleles. The IVS12+1G>A and p.A102V alleles were identified in homozygosity in index patients of two unrelated families. A proband from another family was compound heterozygous for the p.R132H and p.A219T mutations, and the heterozygous p.Q167fsX186 frameshift allele was the only mutation detected in the affected individual from an additional pedigree. For the remaining family no mutations were detected. The patient homozygous for the p.A102V mutation had glucosuria of 65.6 g/1.73 m(2)/24 h, evidence of renal sodium wasting, mild volume depletion, and raised basal plasma renin and serum aldosterone levels. Our findings confirm previous observations that in FRG, transmitted as a codominant trait with incomplete penetrance, most mutations are private. In the only patient with massive glucosuria in our cohort there was evidence evocative of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system activation by extracellular volume depletion induced by natriuresis. Definite proof of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system activation in FGR should rely on evaluation of additional patients with massive glucosuria.

Renal glycosuria treated as diabetes mellitus: case report

A case of renal glycosuria is reported. A 55 year old female was diagnosed and treated in an upcountry hospital for diabetes mellitus. She developed symptoms of hypoglycaemia while on an oral hypoglycaemic agent, leading to her admission in Mulago Hospital. Persistent glycosuria was noted despite treatment and normal serum glucose. Oral glucose tolerance test and timed urine glucose showed a normal curve but high urine sugar. A diagnosis of renal glycosuria was made, oral hypoglycaemic therapy was stopped, patient improved and was discharged. Though renal glycosuria is a benign condition, mistaken diagnosis for diabetes mellitus puts patients at risk of hypoglycaemia due to treatment. Diagnosis of the condition requires physicians' awareness of its existence in our community and the use of Marbles' criteria obviates confusion with diabetes mellitus though it does not absolutely exclude Fanconi syndrome.

Hypercalciuria in children with renal glycosuria: evidence of dual renal tubular reabsorptive defects

During the past 5 years, we have identified idiopathic hypercalciuria in five of seven patients referred for evaluation of renal glycosuria between 1985 and 1991. The children, all boys, ranged in age from 6 to 12 years. Endocrine function was normal, and none of the patients had hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, renal tubular acidosis, or other secondary causes of hypercalciuria. The calcium/creatinine ratio in a fasting urine specimen was elevated in all five children who had hypercalciuria, with a mean value (+/- SD) of 0.34 +/- 0.06 (normal, < 0.2). In one child who had renal colic with spontaneous passage of gravel-like material, the idiopathic hypercalciuria persisted after 1 week on a diet containing 2000 mg of sodium and 300 mg of calcium. On the basis of studies that examined the site along the nephron responsible for hypercalciuria in rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes, we speculate that in children with renal glycosuria, there is defective reabsorption of glucose and calcium in the straight portion of the proximal tubule or in the collecting duct. It is likely that a similar mechanism accounts for the idiopathic hypercalciuria in children with diabetes mellitus.

Complete absence of tubular glucose reabsorption: a new type of renal glucosuria (type 0)

Primary renal glucosuria is an inherited defect of tubular glucose reabsorption and usually classified in type A and type B. We now observed a new type in a 15-year-old boy who had a complete absence of tubular glucose reabsorption. His father had a daily glucosuria of 1.1 g/1.73 m2 and his mother of 2.7 g/1.73 m2. Two siblings excreted 0.4 g/1.73 m2 and 0.3 g/1.73 m2 glucose and one sister had no glucosuria. The proband excreted daily 136 to 160 g/1.73 m2 glucose accompanied by normal blood glucose levels between 75-105 mg/dl. The glomerular filtration rate (inulin clearance) was 148-153 ml/min/1.73 m2 and the endogenous glucose clearance was 112-160 ml/min/1.73 m2 when blood glucose levels were 72-82 mg/dl. Thus, glucose clearance was nearly identical to inulin-clearance. After intravenous glucose loading with a blood glucose concentration of 261-342 mg/dl, glucose clearance remained in the same range and tubular glucose reabsorption was virtually absent. There were no disturbances in tubular reabsorption of other substrates. This new type of primary renal glucosuria was not recognized thus far, and we propose to call it type O glucosuria. The family tree revealed consanguinity and most probably the proband is homozygous and both his parents are heterozygous for type O renal glucosuria.

The insulin response to glucose in patients with non-diabetic glycosuria

Glucose tolerance tests (GTT) were performed and plasma insulin levels measured by immunoassay in eighty-nine subjects previously found to have non-diabetic glycosuria (fifty-six with renal glycosuria and thirty-three with lag curves). The time-interval between the two tests varied from 6 months to 13 years.

Ten patients had developed chemical diabetes but only three had symptoms. Two had initially renal glycosuria and eight lag curves. This significantly different incidence may have been due to an excess of older patients in the lag-curve group.

The mean insulin response was higher in those with diabetes than in those in whom the second test was normal. The individual insulin responses were abnormal by our criteria in twenty-six subjects including six of the ten diabetics. In twenty-four subjects plasma insulin levels had been measured during the initial GTT. The insulin response had been abnormal in thirteen of these, four of whom were diabetic at follow up. In contrast only one of the eleven subjects with an initially normal insulin response had developed diabetes.

It is suggested that an abnormal insulin response to glucose may be an indication of potential diabetes.