Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO0391

Differential Temporal Profiles of Urinary Sediment Podocyte mRNAs Distinguish Minimal Change Disease from FSGS

Session Information

• Glomerular Diseases: Genetics to Therapeutics
  October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Glomerular Diseases

• 1401 Glomerular Diseases: Mechanisms, including Podocyte Biology

Authors

• Kurimoto, Ryo, Oita Daigaku Igakubu Daigakuin Igakukei Kenkyuka, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan

Ryo Kurimoto, MD

• Fukuda, Akihiro, Oita Daigaku Igakubu Fuzoku Byoin, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan

Akihiro Fukuda, MD, PhD

• Mitsue, Chisato, Oita Daigaku Igakubu Fuzoku Byoin, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan

Chisato Mitsue, MD

• Uchida, Hiroki, Oita Daigaku Igakubu Fuzoku Byoin, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan

Hiroki Uchida, MD

• Suzuki, Miho, Oita Daigaku Igakubu Fuzoku Byoin, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan

Miho Suzuki, MD

• Kudo, Akiko, Oita Daigaku Igakubu Fuzoku Byoin, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan

Akiko Kudo, MD

• Shibata, Hirotaka, Oita Daigaku Igakubu Fuzoku Byoin, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan

Hirotaka Shibata, MD, PhD

Group or Team Name

• Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, Rheumatology and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University

Background

Although minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are nephrotic syndromes characterized by podocyte injury, they differ in treatment response and renal prognosis. Differential diagnosis largely depends on kidney biopsy, highlighting the need for noninvasive diagnostic approaches. We examined temporal changes in urinary sediment podocyte mRNAs in models of MCD and FSGS.

Methods

Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5/group) received puromycin aminonucleoside via tail vein injection at 15 mg/100 g body weight to induce severe nephrosis or 5 mg/100 g to induce mild nephrosis. Control animals received saline. Urine samples were collected serially for 16–18 hours over 5 weeks, and rats were euthanized on Day 36. Urinary sediment nephrin and podocin mRNAs were quantified by RT-qPCR. Expression levels were normalized to urinary sediment aquaporin 2 (AQP2) mRNA and compared with proteinuria and histopathological findings.

Results

The severe and mild nephrosis groups developed persistent and transient proteinuria, respectively. Histologically, sclerotic lesions were observed in 33.6% of the glomeruli in the severe group, consistent with an FSGS-like phenotype, whereas the mild group showed no apparent sclerotic changes, consistent with an MCD-like phenotype. Urinary sediment podocyte mRNAs increased in both nephrosis groups, but their temporal profiles differed. In the mild group, both nephrin and podocin mRNAs increased from approximately Day 7 and returned to baseline by Day 21. In contrast, in the severe group, both mRNAs increased on Day 2. Nephrin showed an early peak followed by a rapid decline, whereas podocin remained elevated over time.

Conclusion

Urinary sediment podocyte mRNAs exhibited distinct temporal profiles according to disease phenotype. Nephrin may reflect early and transient podocyte injury, whereas podocin may indicate sustained podocyte injury. These findings provide a basis for the noninvasive differentiation of MCD and FSGS.

Acknowledgment

ChatGPT was used only for English translation and language editing. The authors reviewed and edited the final text and take full responsibility for the content of this abstract.

Figure 1. Time course of urinary sediment podocyte mRNA levels in each group. (A) Urinary nephrin/AQP2 mRNA ratio. (B) Urinary podocin/AQP2 mRNA ratio.