title: Expression patterns of podocyte-associated mRNAs in patients with proliferative or non-proliferative glomerulopathies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is not clear how the podocyte damage manifests in different glomerulopathies. This study evaluated the podocyte-associated mRNA profiles in renal tissue and urine of patients with proliferative (PGs) or non-proliferative (NPGs) glomerulopathies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Messenger RNA levels of nephrin, podocin, podocalyxin, synaptopodin, and alpha-actinin-4 were measured in the kidney tissue and urinary cells by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Podocyte-associated mRNAs were correlated with proteinuria and renal function, and the effect of immunosuppressive treatment of PGs and NPGs on urine mRNAs was assessed up to one year of follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Podocyte-associated mRNAs were expressed consistently less in kidney tissue from patients with NPGs, and urinary podocyte mRNA levels were significantly higher in the PG group. After six months of immunosuppressive therapy, patients with PGs showed a significant reduction in the expression of podocin, podocalyxin, and alpha-actinin-4 compared with baseline (p<0.001). In the NPG group, alpha-actinin-4 levels decreased (p=0.008), and there was also a trend toward reduced podocalyxin mRNA (p=0.08). Urine podocyte-associated mRNAs correlated with the level of proteinuria at baseline and at six months, and there was a trend toward an inverse correlation between urinary mRNAs and kidney function at one year of follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Podocyte-associated mRNAs were inhibited in kidney tissue concomitantly with their increase in urine in these patients with glomerulopathies. Different profiles of mRNA expression were seen, pointing to a higher degree of intra-renal podocytopenia in the NPGs and of podocyturia in the PGs. The immunosuppressive therapy effectively reduced the urinary levels of podocyte-associated mRNAs.
authors: Post-Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Patrícia Garcia
authors: PG
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Division of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Rafael Nazário
authors: RN
authors: Bringhenti
authors: Post-Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Jonathan Frapporti
authors: JF
authors: do Nascimento
authors: Post-Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Gabriel
authors: G
authors: Joelsons
authors: Post-Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Mariane
authors: M
authors: dos Santos
authors: Post-Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Sane
authors: S
authors: Pereira
authors: Post-Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil ; Division of Nephrology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Francisco Veríssimo
authors: FV
authors: Veronese
mesh_terms: D000185:Actinin / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D050199:Podocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000235:genetics / Q000652:urine; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000652:urine*; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016482:Urinalysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C111453:ACTN4 protein, human; D005819:Genetic Markers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; C407223:NPHS2 protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C503967:SYNPO protein, human; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; C113267:nephrin; C001643:podocalyxin; D000185:Actinin
keywords: Glomerulopathy; nephrin; podocalyxin; podocin; podocyte; proteinuria