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Minimal change disease: a “two-hit” podocyte immune disorder?

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Abstract

Minimal change disease (MCD) is the most common nephrotic syndrome in children and is commonly thought to be a T-cell disorder mediated by a circulating factor that alters podocyte function resulting in massive proteinuria. We suggest that MCD is a “two-hit” disorder. As originally hypothesized by Reiser et al. in 2004, we propose that the initial hit is the induction of CD80 (also known as B7.1) on the podocyte, and that this results in an alteration in shape with actin rearrangement that alters glomerular permeability and causes proteinuria. We propose that CD80 expression may result from either direct binding of the podocyte by cytokines from activated T cells or by activation of podocyte toll-like receptors (TLR) by viral products or allergens. We further hypothesize that under normal circumstances, CD80 expression is only transiently expressed and proteinuria is minimal due to rapid autoregulatory response by circulating T regulatory cells or by the podocyte itself, probably due to the expression of factors [cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated (CTLA)-4, interleukin (IL)-10, and possibly transforming growth factor (TGF)-β] that downregulate the podocyte CD80 response. In MCD, however, there is a defect in CD80 podocyte autoregulation. This results in persistent CD80 expression and persistent proteinuria. If correct, this hypothesis may lead to both new diagnostic tests and potential therapeutics for this important renal disease.

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Acknowledgements

This paper was supported by startup funds from the University of Colorado to RJJ.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA

    Michiko Shimada, Chris Rivard, Takuji Ishimoto & Richard J. Johnson

  2. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Carlos Araya & Eduardo H. Garin

  3. Pediatric Nephrology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Eduardo H. Garin

Authors
  1. Michiko Shimada
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  2. Carlos Araya
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  3. Chris Rivard
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  4. Takuji Ishimoto
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  5. Richard J. Johnson
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  6. Eduardo H. Garin
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Correspondence to Eduardo H. Garin.

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Shimada, M., Araya, C., Rivard, C. et al. Minimal change disease: a “two-hit” podocyte immune disorder?. Pediatr Nephrol 26, 645–649 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-010-1676-x

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