Intravascular hemolysis activates complement via cell-free heme and heme-loaded microvesicles.

In hemolytic diseases, such as sickle cell disease (SCD), intravascular hemolysis results in the release of hemoglobin, heme, and heme-loaded membrane microvesicles in the bloodstream. Intravascular hemolysis is thus associated with inflammation and organ injury. Complement system can be activated by heme in vitro.

Characterization of Renal Injury and Inflammation in an Experimental Model of Intravascular Hemolysis.

Intravascular erythrocyte destruction, accompanied by the release of pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory components hemoglobin and heme, is a common event in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases with heterogeneous etiology and clinical features. A frequent adverse effect related to massive hemolysis is the renal injury and inflammation. Nevertheless, it is still unclear whether heme--a danger-associated molecular pattern--and ligand for TLR4 or upstream hemolysis-derived products are responsible for these effects.

Multiplex epithelium dysfunction due to CLDN10 mutation: the HELIX syndrome.

PurposeWe aimed to identify the genetic cause to a clinical syndrome encompassing hypohidrosis, electrolyte imbalance, lacrimal gland dysfunction, ichthyosis, and xerostomia (HELIX syndrome), and to comprehensively delineate the phenotype.MethodsWe performed homozygosity mapping, whole-genome sequencing, gene sequencing, expression studies, functional tests, protein bioinformatics, and histological characterization in two unrelated families with HELIX syndrome.ResultsWe identified biallelic missense mutations (c.

Amelogenesis imperfecta in familial hypomagnesaemia and hypercalciuria with nephrocalcinosis caused by CLDN19 gene mutations.

Background: Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a group of genetic diseases characterised by tooth enamel defects. AI was recently described in patients with familial hypercalciuria and hypomagnesaemia with nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) caused by CLDN16 mutations. In the kidney, claudin-16 interacts with claudin-19 to control the paracellular passage of calcium and magnesium.

Claudin-16 Deficiency Impairs Tight Junction Function in Ameloblasts, Leading to Abnormal Enamel Formation.

Claudin-16 protein (CLDN16) is a component of tight junctions (TJ) with a restrictive distribution so far demonstrated mainly in the kidney. Here, we demonstrate the expression of CLDN16 also in the tooth germ and show that claudin-16 gene (CLDN16) mutations result in amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) in the 5 studied patients with familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC). To investigate the role of CLDN16 in tooth formation, we studied a murine model of FHHNC and showed that CLDN16 deficiency led to altered secretory ameloblast TJ structure, lowering of extracellular pH in the forming enamel matrix, and abnormal enamel matrix protein processing, resulting in an enamel phenotype closely resembling human AI.

[Diagnostic value of IgG subtypes in membranous nephropathy: A case report].

The study of immunoglobulin G subtypes constituting immune deposits present in membranous nephropathy is useful to guide diagnosis. IgG4 deposits are more often seen in primitive forms of membranous nephropathy due to autoantibody (anti-phospholipase A2 receptor in a majority of cases). These deposits are polytypic.

Crystalline light chain proximal tubulopathy with chronic renal failure and silicone gel breast implants: 1 case report.

A 39-year-old female patient was admitted to explore chronic renal failure. Clinical history included silicone breast implants. Clinical examination was normal.

Kidney function and influence of sunlight exposure in patients with impaired 24-hydroxylation of vitamin D due to CYP24A1 mutations.

Loss-of-function mutations of CYP24A1, the enzyme that converts the major circulating and active forms of vitamin D to inactive metabolites, recently have been implicated in idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia. Patients with biallelic mutations in CYP24A1 present with severe hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis in infancy or hypercalciuria, kidney stones, and nephrocalcinosis in adulthood. We describe a cohort of 7 patients (2 adults, 5 children) presenting with severe hypercalcemia who had homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in CYP24A1.

Heterogeneous histologic and clinical evolution in 3 cases of dense deposit disease with long-term follow-up.

Dense deposit disease is characterized by dense deposits in the glomerular and tubular basement membranes. We report 3 cases with long-term follow-up differing in histologic pattern and clinical evolution. Clinical and histologic data were collected between 1976 and 2012.

Nephrocalcinosis (enamel renal syndrome) caused by autosomal recessive FAM20A mutations.

Background/aims: Calcium homeostasis requires regulated cellular and interstitial systems interacting to modulate the activity and movement of this ion. Disruption of these systems in the kidney results in nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis, important medical problems whose pathogenesis is incompletely understood.

Methods: We investigated 25 patients from 16 families with unexplained nephrocalcinosis and characteristic dental defects (amelogenesis imperfecta, gingival hyperplasia, impaired tooth eruption).

Aspergillus arthritis and organ transplantation.

We report a case of a kidney and pancreas transplanted patient, hospitalized for septic hip arthritis. The whole diagnostic work-up including synovial and bone biopsies remained negative. After inefficient empirical anti-bacterial antibiotic treatment, femoral head resection was performed and tissue analysis revealed Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae.