Tissue miRNA Profile Is Associated with Acute Tubular Necrosis, Rejection Phenotypes and BK Polyomavirus-Associated Nephropathy in Human Kidney Allografts.

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short noncoding RNAs, are involved in the modulation of gene expression, mainly by inhibiting the translation of mRNAs. Under physiological conditions, miRNAs are involved in viral infections and immune responses, among others; aberrant miRNA expression has been associated with kidney transplant pathologies, but a comprehensive comparison of later, particularly in tissue sections, is still pending.

Methods: We used the genome-wide screening of miRNAs to identify those potentially involved in the disease processes after kidney transplantation.

Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Chronic Active Antibody-Mediated Kidney Graft Rejection: Report of the Phase I/II Clinical Trial Case Series.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) therapy has already been studied in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), and the available data showed that it is safe and well tolerated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous MSCs in combination with standard therapy in KTRs with biopsy-proven chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Patients with biopsy-proven chronic active AMR received treatment with autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (3 × 10 cells/kg iv) after completion of standard therapy and were followed for up to 12 months.

Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy: Literature Review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to clinically significant multisystem disorders that also affect the kidney. According to recent data, renal injury in the form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in native kidneys ranks third in frequency. Our review of global literature revealed 46 cases of TMA in association with COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread tremendously since its first appearance in December 2019. Infected individuals can experience a wide range of systemic complications, including thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Like the other forms of TMA, COVID-19-associated TMA is characterized by thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and organ failure (such as acute kidney injury).

Cobalt Ferrite Magnetic Nanoparticles for Tracing Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue: A Preliminary Study.

Therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is promising in many diseases. Evaluation of their efficacy depends on adequate follow-up of MSCs after transplantation. Several studies have shown that MSCs can be labeled and subsequently visualized with magnetic nanoparticles (NPs).

Renal Tissue miRNA Expression Profiles in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis-A Comparative Analysis.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) comprises autoimmune disease entities that cause target organ damage due to relapsing-remitting small vessel necrotizing vasculitis, and which affects various vascular beds. The pathogenesis of AAV is incompletely understood, which translates to considerable disease- and treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Recent advances have implicated microRNAs (miRNAs) in AAV; however, their accurate characterization in renal tissue is lacking.

Histomorphological and clinical characteristics of patients with thin glomerular basement membrane nephropathy.

Background: Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) is a disorder characterized by ultrastructural abnormalities of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), representing a spectrum of genetic and clinical phenotypes ranging from benign hematuria to proteinuria and chronic kidney disease. Recent studies have shown that a significant percentage of patients who initially present with hematuria later develop proteinuria and worsening renal function.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed records of patients diagnosed with TBMN, including their clinical, laboratory, and histological features, in Slovenia from 2015 to 2020.

Complement activation and cryoglobulinemia are common in monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance: Data from a case series.

Introduction: Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) denotes kidney diseases caused by monoclonal immunoglobulins in patients who do not have an overt hematological malignancy. Treatment is primarily directed against the underlying clone. Complement activation and cryoglobulinemia are known factors that can contribute to tissue damage, however, the full extent of their involvement is not clear.

Characteristics of renal sarcoidosis and tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome in Slovenia: An analysis of the national renal biopsy registry and patient datasets in the last decade.

Background: Sarcoidosis is characterized by granulomatous inflammation in multiple organs. Renal involvement is rare, and granulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is the predominant histologic feature. TIN is also a hallmark of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome.

The Role of Immune-Related miRNAs in the Pathology of Kidney Transplantation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of the non-coding regulatory RNA family that play pivotal roles in physiological and pathological conditions, including immune response. They are particularly interesting as promising therapeutic targets, prognostic and diagnostic markers due to their easy detection in body fluids and stability. There is accumulating evidence that different miRNAs provide disease-specific signatures in liquid samples of distinct kidney injuries.

Management of Anticoagulant-Related Nephropathy: A Single Center Experience.

Background: Anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN) is a form of acute kidney injury that mainly occurs in patients with previously unrecognized glomerular disease in addition to excessive anticoagulation. Since a renal biopsy is not performed in most cases, the diagnosis is often presumptive.

Methods: Here, we present the characteristics of a national Slovenian patient cohort with histologically verified ARN, from the first case in 2014 to December 2020, and a review of the current literature (Pubmed database).

Multiorgan failure with fatal outcome after stem cell tourism.

Background: Unproven stem cell treatments may involve serious health, personal, and financial considerations. Due to worldwide spread, illegal stem cell therapies have become a major public health problem. We have already witnessed numerous reports in the mass media of severe and occasionally even fatal outcomes after such therapies.

Exploring the role of the complement system, endothelial injury, and microRNAs in thrombotic microangiopathy after kidney transplantation.

Objective: We investigated whether the recipient's complement system function, kidney graft endothelial ultrastructural injury, and microRNA (miRNA) expression before transplantation may be associated with the risk of posttransplant thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).

Methods: Complement system function assessment, histological and ultrastructural examination of preimplantation and kidney graft biopsies, and microRNA assessment were performed on kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with TMA.

Results: On the basis of the clinical course, histological findings, and miRNA patterns, the following two TMA phenotypes were observed: a self-limiting disease that was localized to the kidney graft and a systemic disease that progressed to graft failure without timely treatment.

Uromodulin and microRNAs in Kidney Transplantation-Association with Kidney Graft Function.

Uromodulin and microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been investigated as potential biomarkers for kidney graft associated pathology and outcome, with a special focus on biomarkers indicating specific disease processes and kidney graft survival. The study's aim was to determine whether expression of serum uromodulin concentration and selected miRNAs might be related to renal function in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The uromodulin concentration and expression of six selected miRNAs (, , , , , and ) were determined in the serum of 100 KTRs with stable graft function and chronic kidney disease of all five stages.

The Role of IgA in the Pathogenesis of IgA Nephropathy.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the most abundant antibody isotype produced in humans, predominantly present in the mucosal areas where its main functions are the neutralization of toxins, prevention of microbial invasion across the mucosal epithelial barrier, and simultaneous maintenance of a physiologically indispensable symbiotic relationship with commensal bacteria. The process of IgA biosynthesis, interaction with receptors, and clearance can be disrupted in certain pathologies, like IgA nephropathy, which is the most common form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. This review summarizes the latest findings in the complex characteristics of the molecular structure and biological functions of IgA antibodies, offering an in-depth overview of recent advances in the understanding of biochemical, immunologic, and genetic factors important in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

Cisplatin-Induced Rodent Model of Kidney Injury: Characteristics and Challenges.

Cisplatin is an antitumor drug used in the treatment of a wide variety of malignancies. However, its primary dose-limiting side effect is kidney injury, which is a major clinical concern. To help understand mechanisms involved in the development of kidney injury, cisplatin rodent model has been developed.

Treatment of antibody-mediated rejection of kidney grafts with bortezomib and/or rituximab compared to standard regimen: experience of Slovene National Center.

Background: The aim of our study was to determine outcomes of standard treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) of kidney grafts as compared to the addition of bortezomib or rituximab.

Methods: The cohort of this retrospective study included patients treated for ABMR of kidney grafts at our national center in the period of 2005 - 2017, divided into two groups: standard (ST) group treated standardly with plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption, intravenous immunoglobulins, and corticosteroids, and BR group treated with the addition of bortezomib and/or rituximab. Patient and graft survival at 2 years was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, and predictors of graft survival were analyzed by Cox regression.

Rituximab for the treatment of membranous nephropathy: a single-center experience.

Background: Treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy with rituximab was introduced more than a decade ago following experimental data that suggested involvement of B-cell-mediated reactions in its pathogenesis. It was a logical step towards a more selective therapy with less severe side effects as compared to the recommended first-line immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and different immunosuppressant drugs.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the anonymous data of patients who were treated with rituximab for idiopathic membranous nephropathy at our institution from January 2006 to July 2016.

Rhabdomyolysis and interferon-β: case report and short review.

Background: We present a case of acute rhabdomyolysis in the setting of interferon-β treatment and concomitant pomelo juice ingestion, with concern of possible pharmacological interaction, which has not yet been described in the literature.

Case Presentation: A young Caucasian female with multiple sclerosis on chronic therapy with interferon-β presented with acute rhabdomyolysis after mild exercise and concomitant ingestion of pomelo extract. After stopping the suspected drugs, the signs of rhabdomyolysis diminished, the subsequent course was favorable.

Expanded valganciclovir prophylaxis in kidney transplant recipients is associated with lower incidence of cytomegalovirus infection.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of two subsequent CMV prophylaxis regimens for prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in our kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Methods: In an historic-cohort of KTRs, two CMV prophylaxis protocols were compared: short protocol in which CMV IgG seronegative recipients (R-) of CMV IgG seropositive donors (D+) received valganciclovir for 3 months post-transplant (group 1: 2005 - 2010); and expanded protocol in which prophylaxis for high-risk recipients was extended to 6 months, and a 3-month prophylaxis for D+/R+ and D-/R+ was introduced (group 2: 2011 - 2016). Incidences of CMV viremia, disease, and adverse events were assessed 12 months after transplant.

Tubular urinary indexes reliably distinguish between primary tubulointerstitial and primary glomerular diseases in patients referred for kidney biopsy.

Aims: Kidney biopsy remains the gold standard for accurately diagnosing renal diseases. Urinalysis and assessment of renal function are the cornerstones for assessment of patients prior to biopsy. There is significant overlap in the results of routine urine parameters (proteinuria, erythrocyturia, leukocyturia) among different kidney diseases, which hinders the possibility of adequately estimating disease etiology prior to the biopsy.

Malnutrition in Renal Failure: Pleiotropic Diagnostic Approaches, Inefficient Therapy and Bad Prognosis.

Malnutrition is very common and connected with high morbidity and mortality of patients on chronic hemodialysis. A cross-sectional, longitudinal study was performed in maintenance dialysis patients intending to determine association between modified Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), serum albumin and mortality. Cross-sectional study of phase angle (PhA) values and other indices of bioelectrical impedance body analysis (BIA) were correlated to biochemical data and malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS).