Inhibition of lysyl oxidase‑like 2 ameliorates folic acid‑induced renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is characterized by accumulation of the extracellular matrix in the interstitium. Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), a member of the lysyl oxidase family, is known for promoting cancer metastasis, invasion and stromal fibrosis in various organs. Our previous study demonstrated expression of LOXL2 in kidney podocytes and tubular epithelial cells, and the association between elevated LOXL2 and tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Glomerular subepithelial microparticles - a footprint for podocyte injury.

The aim of this study was to clarify the nature and clinical significance of glomerular subepithelial microparticles (SMPs), located between the basal surface of the podocytes and the glomerular basement membrane. Ultrastructural morphology of 79 renal biopsy samples (obtained from 25 native and 54 transplanted kidneys), showing SMPs in the last 3 years, was reevaluated with regard to the podocyte changes and clinical condition of the patients. One hundred and nine SMPs were identified, with 32.

Reduction in proteinuria after immunosuppressive therapy and long-term kidney outcomes in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Background/aims: Despite controversy regarding the benefits of immunosuppressive therapy in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), clinical outcomes may vary depending on the patient's responsiveness to this therapy. This study evaluated long-term kidney outcomes according to the extent of proteinuria reduction after immunosuppression in IgAN patients.

Methods: Among 927 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN, 127 patients underwent immunosuppression.

Renal tissue elasticity by acoustic radiation force impulse: A prospective study of healthy kidney donors.

Background: Some studies reported the correlations between renal parenchymal stiffness measured by transient elastography or acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) and the extent of interstitial fibrosis. This study was prospectively designed to evaluate the correlation between clinical, histological findings and the kidney shear wave velocity (SWV, m/s) assessed by ARFI elastography to identify factors affecting the kidney SWV in normal patients.

Methods: Seventy-three adult living kidney transplantation donors were enrolled in our center between September 2010 and January 2013.

CD71 mesangial IgA1 receptor and the progression of IgA nephropathy.

The transferrin receptor (CD71) is known as a receptor for IgA1 on mesangial cells, but the role of CD71 in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is unknown. We studied clinical implication of mesangial CD71 in 282 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN (2005-2018). The transcript and protein expression of glomerular CD71 was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.

Renal intravascular large B cell lymphoma: the first case report in Korea and a review of the literature.

Herein, we describe the first case of renal intravascular large B cell lymphoma in Korea occurring in a 66-year-old female. She presented with mild fever and dyspnea. On physical and laboratory evaluations, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was suspected, but the bone marrow biopsy results were unremarkable.

Diagnosis of renal transplant rejection: Banff classification and beyond.

Diagnosis of renal transplant rejection is dependent on interpretation of renal allograft biopsies. The Banff Classification of Allograft Pathology, which was developed as a standardized working classification system in 1991, has contributed to the standardization of definitions for histologic injuries resulting from renal allograft rejections and provided a universal grading system for assessing these injuries. It has also helped to provide insight into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to transplant rejection.

Predictive value of mesangial C3 and C4d deposition in IgA nephropathy.

We aimed to determine the relative contribution of each complement (C3 and C4d) deposition to the progression of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). We enrolled a total of 380 patients with biopsy-confirmed IgAN. Mesangial deposition of C3(<2+ vs.

Transplant outcomes in positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity- versus flow cytometry-crossmatch kidney transplant recipients after successful desensitization: a retrospective study.

Background: Despite the obvious survival benefit compared to that among waitlist patients, outcomes of positive crossmatch kidney transplantation (KT) are generally inferior to those of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-compatible KT. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) crossmatch (CDC + FC+) and positive flow cytometric crossmatch (CDC-FC+) with those of HLA-compatible KT (CDC-FC-) after successful desensitization.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 330 eligible patients who underwent KTs between June 2011 and August 2017: CDC-FC- (n = 274), CDC-FC+ (n = 39), and CDC + FC+ (n = 17).

Relationship between complement deposition and the Oxford classification score and their combined effects on renal outcome in immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Background: Complement activation has been highlighted in immunoglobulin (Ig) A nephropathy pathogenesis. However, whether the complement system can affect the downstream phenotype of IgA nephropathy remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the association of mesangial C3 deposition with the Oxford classification and their joint effects on worsening kidney function.

Clinical Significance of Revised Banff Criteria in the Diagnosis of Antibody-Mediated Rejection.

Background: The diagnostic criteria of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) has been significantly changed since Banff 2013. The most important revision was adopting microvascular inflammation (MVI) as immunopathologic evidence for ABMR even in C4d-negative cases. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed previous allograft biopsy results and evaluated the impact of this change.

Tubulointerstitial Infiltration of M2 Macrophages in Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Nephritis Indicates the Presence of Glomerular Crescents and Bad Clinical Parameters.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis in children, and renal involvement (HSP nephritis, HSPN) is a severe manifestation. HSPN is histologically classified by the International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) based on mesangial hypercellularity and the extent of glomerular crescents. Macrophages, categorized as M1 or M2, frequently infiltrate in various glomerular and tubulointerstitial diseases and infiltration of specific subtypes is associated with disease progression.

Association between post-transplant uric acid level and renal allograft fibrosis: Analysis using Banff pathologic scores from renal biopsies.

Several experimental studies implicate uric acid in renal injury and fibrosis. The objective of this study was to examine the association between uric acid level and allograft fibrosis after kidney transplantation. 241 adult patients who underwent kidney transplantation between 2003 and 2014 were divided into three groups according to the sex specific tertiles of mean uric acid level within the first post-transplant year.

Successful kidney transplantation across a positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch by using C1q assay-directed, bortezomib-assisted desensitization: A case report.

Rationale: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is the major immunologic barrier in kidney transplantation (KT). Various desensitization protocols to overcome the HLA barrier have increased the opportunity for transplantation in sensitized patients. In addition, technological advances in solid-phase assays have permitted more comprehensive assessment of donor-specific antibodies.

Successful launch of an ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation program to overcome the shortage of compatible living donors: experience at a single center .

Aims: ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation (KT) is being increasingly performed to overcome donor shortages. However, debate persists regarding the post-transplant outcomes of ABOi KT vs. that of ABO-compatible (ABOc) KT.

Lysyl oxidase‑like 2 is expressed in kidney tissue and is associated with the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a common end point of chronic kidney diseases, and preventing its progression is key to avoiding renal failure. Transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) and associated molecules promote tubulointerstitial fibrosis; however, effective therapies targeting these molecules have yet to be developed. Lysyl oxidase‑like 2 (LOXL2), which is involved in invasive growth and metastasis of malignant neoplasms, has recently been reported to serve a key role in hepatic and pulmonary fibrosis.

Tubuloreticular inclusions in peritubular capillaries of renal allografts.

Background: Tubuloreticular inclusions (TRIs) are anastomosing networks of microtubules that are frequently found in autoimmune diseases and viral infections. In renal allografts, TRIs have been reported in glomerular endothelial cells in association with viral infections and donor specific antibodies (DSAs), but their presence in peritubular capillaries has not been explored.

Methods: We collected seven cases with TRIs out of 148 consecutive renal allograft biopsies taken from Dec.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and medullary nephrocalcinosis in children with ADCK4 mutations.

Background: Mutations in the AarF domain containing kinase 4 gene (ADCK4), one of the novel genes causing steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), usually manifest as isolated adolescent-onset focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). ADCK4 interacts with components of the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) biosynthesis pathway.

Methods: The incidence and phenotypes of patients with ADCK4 mutations were investigated in a cohort of Korean pediatric patients with SRNS.

Successful treatment of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis with steroid and azathioprine in a 12-year-old boy.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome is a rare disease, often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed in children. We describe the case of a 12-year-old boy who presented to Severance Hospital with a 1-month history of bilateral conjunctival injection. He was first evaluated by an Ophthalmologist in another hospital and diagnosed with panuveitis.

Clinical usefulness of the Oxford classification in determining immunosuppressive treatment in IgA nephropathy.

Background: The Oxford classification has been widely used in IgA nephropathy. However, its clinical usefulness of determining immunosuppression is unknown.

Aim: Whether the Oxford classification could predict the development of proteinuria ≥1 g/g Cr and worsening kidney function, as well as the clinical efficacy of corticosteroid treatment according to each histologic variable of the Oxford-MEST.

Podocytic infolding glomerulopathy: A case report.

Podocytic infolding glomerulopathy (PIG) is a rare glomerular abnormality involving glomerular basement membrane (GBM) bubbling viewable by light microscopy, extensive invagination of the podocytic cytoplasm, and the presence of microstructures viewable by electron microscopy. PIG was proposed as a new disease entity in 2008. However, cases have been reported exclusively in Japan and no case reports outside Japan have been published.

The significance of tubulointerstitial lesions in childhood Henoch-Schönlein nephritis.

Background: Little information is currently available on the development of tubulointerstitial lesions in children with Henoch-Schönlein nephritis (HSN). To identify the impact of the development of tubulointerstitial changes in HSN, we retrospectively analyzed renal biopsies obtained from children with HSN.

Methods: Twenty-eight children with HSN from whom serial renal biopsies had been obtained before and after immunosuppressive therapy were enrolled in the study.