Abstract: TH-PO791
Urinary Podocin Cell Count in Relation to Glomerular and Tubular Damage Markers in Patients with Primary Nephrotic Syndrome
Session Information
- Glomerular Diseases: Podocyte Biology - I
November 02, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Glomerular Diseases
- 1403 Podocyte Biology
Authors
- van den Berge, Bartholomeus Tideman, RadboudUMC Department of Nephrology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- van de Logt, Anne-Els, RadboudUMC Department of Nephrology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Jansen, Jitske, RWTH Aachen Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, Aachen, Germany
- Smeets, Bart, RadboudUMC Department of Pathology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Wetzels, Jack F., RadboudUMC Department of Nephrology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Maas, Rutger J., RadboudUMC Department of Nephrology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
Background
Progressive renal failure in patients with glomerular disease is driven by podocyte depletion. Several methods have been proposed to monitor urinary podocyte loss. Here, we investigated the process of podocyte depletion in patients with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) by flow cytometric detection of Podocin-positive cells in urine.
Methods
We included 27 patients with MN. Urinary cell pellets were processed and stained for Podocin and subsequently counted using FACS. Urinary protein and creatinine levels were determined from the same portion of urine. Normal values of urinary Podocin-positive cells were obtained in urine samples of 13 healthy controls.
Results
Mean urinary podocyte count (Podocin-positive cells) was significantly higher in patients compared to healthy controls. Podocyte excretion showed significant correlations with urinary protein (r = 0.71), glomerular damage marker IgG (r = 0.75) and the tubular damage markers α1-microglobulin (r = 0.66) and β2-microglobulin (r = 0.43), all corrected for creatinine.
Conclusion
Urinary excretion of Podocin-positive podocytes was significantly increased in patients with MN, and correlated significantly with protein/creatinine ratios and glomerular and tubular damage markers. We conclude that this method can be used to monitor the process of podocyte depletion, and potentially the impact of treatment. We are planning prospective studies to evaluate the prognostic value of urinary Podocin+ podocyte excretion in patients with PNS.
Funding
- Government Support – Non-U.S.