Chondrocyte is involved in the destruction of joints in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The aim of this study was to explore the expression level of small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) and evaluate its function in chondrocyte. In our current study, the expression levels of SNHG5, miR-26a, and SOX2 in 17 pairs of articular cartilage tissues and in the non-OA group were assessed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that the levels of SNHG5 and SOX2 were significantly downregulated in OA tissues, while the level of miR-26a was upregulated. MTT, colony formation and cell transwell assays were performed to assess the function of SNHG5 on the cell viability, growth ability, and migration capacity in CHON-001 cells. It was found that SNHG5 could promote chondrocyte cell proliferation and migration. The relationship between SNHG5 and miR-26a was confirmed by RIP and the luciferase reporter assays. SOX2 was identified as a target gene of miR-26a by the luciferase reporter assay. Rescue assay was applied to verify the relationship among SNHG5, miR-26a, and SOX2. Our current study demonstrated that SNHG5 is involved in the mechanism of OA through functioning as a ceRNA to competitively sponge miR-26a, therefore, regulating the expression of SOX2.

Rationale:Mitochondrial nephropathy has a poor prognosis and often progresses to the end-stage renal disease. Renal pathology often is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and does not respond to steroid therapy or immunosuppressive therapy. Some patients are benefited from the therapy of coenzyme Q10, which affect the synthesis pathway of coenzyme Q10.Patient concerns:Herein, we report 2 cases of children with proteinuria renal disease with ADCK4 mutation.Diagnoses:Proteinuria renal disease with ADCK4 mutation.Interventions:Compound heterozygous mutation in ADCK4 gene were detected with next-generation sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Both of the patients were given coenzyme Q10 supplementation therapy.Outcomes:The first patient showed a decreased proteinuria after coenzyme Q10 supplementation therapy, while the other was not improved.Lessons:Based on the cases we reported and from the literature, recognition of ADCK4 mutation through early and accurate genetic screening could be helpful in avoiding unnecessary toxicities and in preventing complications arising in mitochondrial nephropathy.

In our pediatric patient cohort, the treatment of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome with tacrolimus was associated with higher efficacy and lower renal toxicity in comparison to CsA, although no favorable outcome in relapse rate during long-term follow-up was seen. On the other hand, tacrolimus was not always the better choice to replace CsA in the treatment of severe frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

Background: In recent years, B-cell dysfunction has been found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS). B cells play a pathogenic role by secreting antibodies against their target antigens after transforming into plasma cells. Therefore, this study aimed to screen the autoantibodies that cause PNS and explore their pathogenic mechanisms.Methods: Western blotting and mass spectrometry were employed to screen and identify autoantibodies against podocytes in children with PNS. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments were used to study the pathogenic mechanism of PNS. The results were confirmed in a large multicenter clinical study in children.Results: Annexin A 2 autoantibody was highly expressed in children with PNS with a pathological type of minimal change disease (MCD) or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis without genetic factors. The mouse model showed that anti-Annexin A 2 antibody could induce proteinuria in vivo. Mechanistically, the effect of Annexin A 2 antibody on the Rho signaling pathway was realized through promoting the phosphorylation of Annexin A 2 at Tyr24 on podocytes by reducing its binding to PTP1B, which led to the cytoskeletal rearrangement and damage of podocytes, eventually causing proteinuria and PNS.Conclusions: Annexin A 2 autoantibody may be responsible for some cases of PNS with MCD/FSGS in children.

BackgroundIdiopathic renal hypouricemia (iRHUC) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disorder, characterized by impaired tubular uric acid transport, re-absorption insufficiency and/or the acceleration of secretions. Some patients present with severe complications, such as exercise-induced acute kidney injury (EIAKI) and nephrolithiasis.Case presentationHerein, we report the case of a girl with severe iRHUC (serum urate 0.05 mg/dL, fractional excretion of uric acid 295.99%) associated with recurrent EIAKI, in whom the disease was caused by a homozygous mutation (g.68G > A in exon 3) in the SLC2A9 gene. Her family members (father, mother and brother) carried the same mutation but were heterozygous, without any signs of severe hypouricemia.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that iRHUC is a rare disorder but that it should also be considered in patients with EIAKI, especially in those patients who manifest with moderately elevated or normal serum concentrations of uric acid during the acute phase of AKI. Mutational screening of the SLC2A9 gene is necessary for the diagnosis of iRHUC, and homozygous mutations of the SLC2A9 alleles can cause severe hypouricemia. Careful attention should be paid to any signs of hypouricemia during the recovery phase of AKI and long-term follow-up.

From ROC curve analysis, we demonstrated the significance of the suPAR level in predicting SRNS with a high specificity but low sensitivity. However, the clinical value of suPAR to predict steroid resistance and guide therapy remains to be investigated further.

Normal biopsies or minor abnormalities were more frequently observed in AIMH patients, whereas IgA nephropathy and adverse renal events were more frequent in AMHP. Microscopic hematuria, especially when accompanied by macroscopic hematuria and proteinuria, may represent an important risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease.

Objective. To observe the clinical efficacy of the Chinese herb, Triptolide, in children with moderately severe Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN). Methods. From January 2007 to December 2011, 56 HSPN children manifested by nephrotic range proteinuria with normal kidney function and <50% crescents or sclerosing lesions on biopsy were hospitalized in the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. They were divided into two groups: the treatment group (n = 42; Triptolide at a dosage of 1 mg/kg·d, combined with prednisone at a dosage of 2 mg/kg·d, within a course of medium-to-long-term therapy of 6 to 9 months) and the control group (n = 14; prednisone alone, with the same procedure). Results. Short-term remission was observed in 95% of patients from treatment group and in 72% of patients from control group, respectively. There was a significant difference between both groups (χ 2 = 6.222, P = 0.029) for short-term effects. Meanwhile, no significant difference, as proteinuria, hematuria, hypertension, and decreased eGFR, was observed between the two groups in long-term followup (χ 2 = 3.111, P = 0.097). The Kaplan-Meier plot analysis also revealed no significant difference (χ 2 = 2.633, P = 0.105). Conclusion. Triptolide is effective in relieving short-term symptoms for moderately severe HSPN children, though its long-term effects need to be observed further.