Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is associated with mineral bone disorder and growth impairment in children with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Mineral and bone disorder (MBD) and growth impairment are common complications of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). Chronic inflammation detrimentally affects bone health and statural growth in non-CKD settings, but the impact of inflammation on CKD-MBD and growth in pediatric CKD remains poorly understood. This study assessed associations between inflammatory cytokines with biomarkers of CKD-MBD and statural growth in pediatric CKD.

Interleukin-6 Contributes to the Development of Anemia in Juvenile CKD.

Introduction: Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children; however, the role of inflammation in its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.

Methods: To elucidate the role of interleukin (IL)-6 in renal anemia, we induced CKD by adenine diet in juvenile wild-type (WT) and IL-6 deficient (KO) mice, and examined serum IL-6 and relevant parameters in children with CKD.

Results: WT-CKD mice developed anemia despite increases in serum erythropoietin and displayed low serum iron and elevated serum IL-6.

Rituximab in post-transplant pediatric recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) recurs in 20-40 % of allografts. Plasmapheresis (TPE) has been one of the mainstays of treatment with variable results. Rituximab (RTX), a monoclonal antibody to the protein CD20, is being used for treatment of recurrent FSGS (recFSGS) but pediatric experience is limited.

Pilot study of mycophenolate mofetil for treatment of kidney disease due to congenital urinary tract disorders in children.

Background: Congenital uropathies account for nearly half the chronic kidney disease in children. Immune-mediated injury may contribute to progressive loss of kidney function in affected patients.

Study Design: Open-label uncontrolled pilot study to determine the feasibility of treatment with the immunosuppressive drug mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to prevent a decrease in kidney function in pediatric patients with congenital uropathies.