Global microRNA profiling in human urinary exosomes reveals novel disease biomarkers and cellular pathways for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating gene expression in health and disease but their role in modifying disease expression in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) remains uncertain. Here, we profiled human urinary exosome miRNA by global small RNA-sequencing in an initial discovery cohort of seven patients with ADPKD with early disease (eGFR over 60ml/min/1.73m), nine with late disease (eGFR under 60ml/min/1.

Parallel microarray profiling identifies ErbB4 as a determinant of cyst growth in ADPKD and a prognostic biomarker for disease progression.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the fourth most common cause of end-stage renal disease. The disease course can be highly variable and treatment options are limited. To identify new therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers of disease, we conducted parallel discovery microarray profiling in normal and diseased human cystic kidney cells.

Eculizumab in an anephric patient with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome and advanced vascular lesions.

Background: Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is associated with dysfunction of the alternative pathway of complement. Disease activity subsides as renal failure progresses but recurs upon renal transplantation, indicating that viable renal tissue contributes to disease activity. We present evidence of cerebrovascular occlusive disease indicating that vascular injury may occur in the absence of kidneys.

[Do indications still exist for intra-arterial infiltrations in vascular pathology?].

Intra-arterial infiltrations are a useful therapeutic measure in various vascular diseases where it is important to obtain a lasting and rapid peripheral vasodilatation. In arteritis of the lower limbs, it is paradoxical to match infiltration against surgery. None of these two therapeutic measures can cure completely.

[Fibrocystic deterioration of the popliteal artery. Apropos of 1 case].

Set off by a sports movement, a subacute ischemia of the lower limb allowed the delayed discovery of a segmental stenosis of the popliteal artery in a young man. It involved a compression by fibro-cystic deterioration of the wall of the artery. Separation of the cyst from the diseased arterial wall was followed by the restoration of circulation by means of an internal saphenous vein graft.