Minimal change disease (MCD) is the most common nephrotic syndrome in children, and can be associated with marked morbidity. Currently the etiology of MCD is unknown, but it has been hypothesized to be due to a circulating factor, possibly released by activated T cells, that induces podocyte dysfunction, resulting in an alteration of glomerular permeability with the development of nephrotic proteinuria. Our group has hypothesized that MCD is mediated by a phenotypic change in podocytes in which they express CD80, which is then shed into the urine as the podocyte undergoes shape change. In preliminary data we have found elevated levels of urinary CD80 in patients with active (relapsing) MCD and that it is absent in normal individuals, in MCD in remission, and in proteinuric subjects with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. We have also identified CD80 in podocytes of limited numbers of renal biopsies of subjects with MCD. We have also developed an in vitro model of MCD in which we can activate toll-like receptors present on cultured human podocytes and show that it activates interferon and NF:B dependent pathways with the expression of CD80, shape change (actin rearrangement) and loss of synaptopodin, and we can rescue this with corticosteroids (which are used clinically to treat minimal change disease). In this application we will first perform cell culture studies to evaluate the potential role of serum and peripheral blood mononuclear leukocyte supernatants from subjects with and without MCD in stimulating CD80 expression in vitro, to determine the cellular signaling pathways by which Toll-like receptor ligands stimulate CD80 in podocytes in vitro, and to develop an animal model of MCD based on these findings. Second, we will perform additional clinical studies to determine the specificity, temporal excretion and podocyte expression of CD80 in MCD compared to other glomerular disorders. We will also examine the urinary excretion and podocyte expression of CTLA-4 for which we hypothesize is the factor that autoregulates the CD80 response. It is our hope that these studies may elucidate not only the cause of minimal change disease but also reveal new strategies for treatment and prevention.

Public Health Relevance

Minimal change disease is the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in children and causes extensive morbidity. The studies outlined in this proposal are aimed at identifying both the underlying mechanism driving this disease and also determining if one can develop a better and noninvasive means for diagnosing this disease. These studies will not only provide insights into the cause of this condition, but may also provide new targets and strategies for treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK080764-03
Application #
8537420
Study Section
Pathobiology of Kidney Disease Study Section (PBKD)
Program Officer
Flessner, Michael Francis
Project Start
2011-09-20
Project End
2014-08-31
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$173,383
Indirect Cost
$28,633
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041096314
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
Garin, Eduardo H; Reiser, Jochen; Cara-Fuentes, Gabriel et al. (2015) Case series: CTLA4-IgG1 therapy in minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Pediatr Nephrol 30:469-77
Cara-Fuentes, Gabriel; Johnson, Richard J; Reiser, Jochen et al. (2014) CD80 and suPAR in patients with minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: diagnostic and pathogenic significance: response. Pediatr Nephrol 29:1467-8
Cara-Fuentes, Gabriel; Wei, Changli; Segarra, Alfons et al. (2014) CD80 and suPAR in patients with minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: diagnostic and pathogenic significance. Pediatr Nephrol 29:1363-71
Cara-Fuentes, Gabriel; Kairalla, John A; Ishimoto, Takuji et al. (2014) Rituximab in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: does it make sense? Pediatr Nephrol 29:1313-9
Cara-Fuentes, Gabriel; Wasserfall, Clive H; Wang, Heiman et al. (2014) Minimal change disease: a dysregulation of the podocyte CD80-CTLA-4 axis? Pediatr Nephrol 29:2333-40
Kanbay, Asiye; Inonu, Handan; Solak, Yalcin et al. (2014) Uric acid as a potential mediator of cardiovascular morbidity in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Eur J Intern Med 25:471-6
Ishimoto, Takuji; Cara-Fuentes, Gabriel; Wang, Heiman et al. (2013) Serum from minimal change patients in relapse increases CD80 expression in cultured podocytes. Pediatr Nephrol 28:1803-12
Huskey, Janna; Rivard, Chris; Myint, Han et al. (2013) Minimal change disease in graft versus host disease: a podocyte response to the graft? Clin Nephrol 80:469-73