Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease in Persian and Persian-cross Cats

Abstract

A form of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) similar in clinical features to human ADPKD occurs in the Persian cat. We characterized the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of this disease in a colony of affected cats. Complete postmortem examinations were performed on 11 normal and 22 affected cats ranging in age from 3 months to 10 years. Kidneys were evaluated by gross and histologic examinations, ultrastructure, lectin staining, bromodeoxyuridine immunochemistry for labeling index and immunochemistry for distribution of Na/K ATPase. Feline ADPKD was characterized by variable numbers of cysts in the renal cortex and medullar. Ultrastructural examination and lectin staining suggested that cysts arose from proximal and distal nephron segments. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling demonstrated increased proliferation of epithelium lining some cysts in young cats. Immunohistochemical staining showed variable translocation of Na/K ATPase from the basolateral membranes of cyst-lining cells to the cytoplasm or luminal membranes. Cystic renal disease commonly was associated with chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis and hepatobiliary hyperplasia and fibrosis. Focal hyperplasia of renal tubular epithelium, hepatic cysts, and cardiac lesions were present in some cats. Feline ADPKD shares many morphologic and pathogenetic features with human ADPKD.

Polycystic kidney and liver disease in cats

“…Most cases of multiple renal cysts have been reported in Persian cats (1, 2,4,5,8,14,16,18,19), but the disease has also been reported in other breeds (3,17). A possible explanation for the high frequency of PKD in Persian cats in our investigation is the autosomal dominant inheritance of the disease which has been described for this breed (2,6).…”

“…Renal cysts are severely dilated proximal and/or distal renal tubules which increase in size with time (6,10). The exact pathogenesis is still unclear, but in humans and laboratory animals a partial or complete obstruction of the tubules (7) or structural abnormalities of the tubular basement membranes (20) have been hypothesized.…”

“…The kidneys sometimes contain spherical or fusiform cysts but are most often normal structured (9,11). Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in cats has been regularly described (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)8,13,14,(16)(17)(18)(19). Persian cats are affected the most, and it has been shown that in this breed the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait (6).…”

“…Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in cats has been regularly described (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)8,13,14,(16)(17)(18)(19). Persian cats are affected the most, and it has been shown that in this breed the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait (6). The cystic changes in the kidneys have been associated with liver cysts (6,8,13,18) and/or pancreatic cysts (18).…”

“…Persian cats are affected the most, and it has been shown that in this breed the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait (6). The cystic changes in the kidneys have been associated with liver cysts (6,8,13,18) and/or pancreatic cysts (18). In a recent study of a family of Persian (crossbred-) cats, liver fibrosis was found in 48% of the animals with PKD (6).…”