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In general, the prognosis of dRTA is good in children treated with alkali.

Cystinosis is a rare disease caused by homozygous mutations of the CTNS gene, encoding a cystine efflux channel in the lysosomal membrane. In Ctns knockout mice, the pathologic intralysosomal accumulation of cystine that drives progressive organ damage can be reversed by infusion of wildtype bone marrow-derived stem cells, but the mechanism involved is unclear since the exogeneous stem cells are rarely integrated into renal tubules. Here we show that human mesenchymal stem cells, from amniotic fluid or bone marrow, reduce pathologic cystine accumulation in co-cultured CTNS mutant fibroblasts or proximal tubular cells from cystinosis patients. This paracrine effect is associated with release into the culture medium of stem cell microvesicles (100–400 nm diameter) containing wildtype cystinosin protein and CTNS mRNA. Isolated stem cell microvesicles reduce target cell cystine accumulation in a dose-dependent, Annexin V-sensitive manner. Microvesicles from stem cells expressing CTNSRed transfer tagged CTNS protein to the lysosome/endosome compartment of cystinotic fibroblasts. Our observations suggest that exogenous stem cells may reprogram the biology of mutant tissues by direct microvesicle transfer of membrane-associated wildtype molecules.

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Bartter and Gitelman syndromes are rare inherited tubulopathies characterized by hypokalaemic, hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis. They are caused by mutations in at least 7 genes involved in the reabsorption of sodium in the thick ascending limb (TAL) of the loop of Henle and/or the distal convoluted tubule (DCT). Different subtypes can be distinguished and various classifications have been proposed based on clinical symptoms and/or the underlying genetic cause. Yet, the clinical phenotype can show remarkable variability, leading to potential divergences between classifications. These problems mostly relate to uncertainties over the role of the basolateral chloride exit channel CLCNKB, expressed in both TAL and DCT and to what degree the closely related paralogue CLCNKA can compensate for the loss of CLCNKB function. Here, we review what is known about the physiology of the transport proteins involved in these disorders. We also review the various proposed classifications and explain why a gene-based classification constitutes a pragmatic solution.

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IntroductionCystinosis is an autosomal recessive disorder leading to intralysosomal cystine accumulation in various tissues. It causes renal Fanconi syndrome and end stage renal failure around the age of 10 years if not treated with cysteamine. Children with cystinosis seem to have a normal intelligence but frequently show learning difficulties. These problems may be due to specific neurocognitive deficits rather than impaired renal function. Whether cysteamine treatment can improve cognitive functioning of cystinosis patients is thus far unknown. We aim to analyze neurocognitive functioning of school-aged cystinosis patients treated with cysteamine in order to identify specific deficits that can lead to learning difficulties.Patients and methodsFourteen Dutch and Belgian school-aged cystinosis patients were included. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the Schwartz formula. Children were tested for general intelligence, visual-motor integration, inhibition, interference, sustained attention, accuracy, planning, visual memory, processing speed, motor planning, fluency and speed, and behavioural and emotional functioning using standardized methods.ResultsGlomerular filtration rate ranged from 22 to 120 ml min−1 1.73 m−2. Median full-scale intelligence was below the average of a normal population (87, range 60–132), with a discrepancy between verbal (median 95, range 60–125) and performance (median 87, range 65–130) intelligence. Over 50% of the patients scored poorly on visual-motor integration, sustained attention, visual memory, planning, or motor speed. The other tested areas showed no differences between patients’ and normal values.ConclusionNeurocognitive diagnostics are indicated in cystinosis patients. Early recognition of specific deficits and supervision from special education services might reduce learning difficulties and improve school careers.