Minimal change nephrotic syndrome associated with immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome

Pediatr Nephrol. 2009 Jun;24(6):1181-6. doi: 10.1007/s00467-009-1119-8. Epub 2009 Feb 3.

Abstract

Several studies have suggested that T cell-producing permeability factors might lead to proteinuria in minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). However, it is still unclear whether T-cell abnormalities cause MCNS. Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a rare disorder of the immune regulation system, which leads to severe autoimmune phenomena including autoimmune enteropathy, atopic dermatitis with high levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and severe infection such as sepsis, which frequently result in death within the first 2 years of life. This disease is caused by mutations in the FOXP3 gene that result in the defective development of regulatory T (Treg) cells. This report describes a 5-year-old boy with IPEX syndrome with a 3 bp deletion in the FOXP3 gene (c.748-750delAAG, p.250K.del) and a paucity of CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) T cells. The boy's condition was complicated by MCNS in addition to many IPEX-related manifestations, such as atopic dermatitis, T1DM, enteropathy, sepsis and hemolytic anemia. This is the first report of IPEX syndrome complicated by MCNS, and our findings imply that Treg cell dysfunction may be crucial for the development of MCNS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked* / genetics
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / complications*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune* / genetics
  • Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune* / immunology
  • Protein-Losing Enteropathies* / genetics
  • Protein-Losing Enteropathies* / immunology
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Cyclosporine
  • DNA
  • Methylprednisolone