Abstract: TH-OR086
Identification of GREB1L as a Novel Causative Gene for Bilateral Kidney Agenesis
Session Information
- Novel Mechanisms and Pathways in Kidney Development
November 02, 2017 | Location: Room 385, Morial Convention Center
Abstract Time: 06:06 PM - 06:18 PM
Category: Developmental Biology and Inherited Kidney Diseases
- 401 Developmental Biology
Authors
- De tomasi, Lara, Inserm UMR1163 - Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- David, Pierre, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- Silbermann, Flora, Inserm UMR1163 - Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- Arrondel, Christelle, Inserm UMR1163 - Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- Alibeu, Olivier, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- Fourrage, Cecile, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- Lelongt, Brigitte, UMR_S1155 - Tenon Hospital, Paris, France
- Roume, Joëlle, CHI POISSY ST GERMAIN EN LAYE, POISSY, France
- Pietrement, Christine, American Memorial Hospital, Reims, France
- Isidor, Bertrand, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
- Khau van kien, Philippe, University Hospital Nîmes, Nîmes, France
- Novo, Robert, CHRU, Lille, France
- Martinovic, Jelena, Antoine Béclère University Hospital, Clamart, France
- Gonzales, Marie, AP-HP A Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
- Heidet, Laurence, APHP - Necker Hospital, Paris, France
- Saunier, Sophie, Inserm UMR1163 - Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- Jeanpierre, Cecile, Inserm UMR1163 - Imagine Institute, Paris, France
Background
Renal hypodysplasia (RHD) is a heterogeneous condition encompassing a spectrum of developmental kidney defects, i.e. renal agenesis, hypoplasia, and cystic and non-cystic dysplasia. Many studies have identified genes involved in kidney development. Heterozygous mutations in several of these genes have been shown to lead to various forms of RHD. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to bilateral renal agenesis (BKA) remain largely elusive.
Methods
In order to identify novel RHD genes, we used whole exome/targeted exome sequencing and analysed familial and severe cases including 68 families/cases with BKA. Greb1l knock-out mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and immunostaining analysis was performed in cleared kidneys.
Results
Through whole exome sequencing we identified heterozygous loss-of-function variants in GREB1L (Growth Regulation By Estrogen In Breast Cancer 1-Like) in two families with BKA fetuses. Targeted exome sequencing revealed GREB1L variations in 14 additional families, including 10 with BKA fetuses. Altogether, two nonsense, one frameshift, one splice and twelve damaging missense variants were identified. All these variants were absent from the ExAC database. GREB1L encodes an uncharacterised target of retinoic acid, never yet associated with kidney abnormalities.
Embryonic lethality was observed in Greb1l knock-out mice in the homozygous state. Analysis at E13.5 revealed that all Greb1l-/- embryos were smaller and presented with exencephaly and lack of kidneys. Light-sheet imaging of cleared kidneys did not reveal any differences in size or branching in Greb1l+/- embryos compared to wild-type.
We also showed that the fetal kidney was the major site of GREB1L expression. Analyses are in progress to more precisely characterize the pattern of expression within fetal kidney.
In parallel, we generated Greb1l KO IMCD3 cells that are currently being used to analyse the role of Greb1l in epithelialization and branching. These cells will also be useful to validate the pathogenicity of the missense variations.
Conclusion
These data demonstrate that GREB1L represents a novel RHD gene with a crucial role in kidney development.
Funding
- Government Support - Non-U.S.