Glomerular podocyte dysfunction in inherited renal tubular disease

World J Pediatr. 2021 Jun;17(3):227-233. doi: 10.1007/s12519-021-00417-0. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Abstract

Background: Hereditary renal tubular disease can cause hypercalciuria, acid-base imbalance, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, rickets, kidney stones, etc. If these diseases are not diagnosed or treated in time, they can cause kidney damage and electrolyte disturbances, which can be detrimental to the maturation and development of the child. Glomerular involvement in renal tubular disease patients has only been considered recently.

Methods: We screened 71 papers (including experimental research, clinical research, etc.) about Dent's disease, Gitelman syndrome, and cystinosis from PubMed, and made reference.

Results: Glomerular disease was initially underestimated among the clinical signs of renal tubular disease or was treated merely as a consequence of the tubular damage. Renal tubular diseases affect glomerular podocytes through certain mechanisms resulting in functional damage, morphological changes, and glomerular lesions.

Conclusions: This article focuses on the progress of changes in glomerular podocyte function in Dent disease, Gitelman syndrome, and cystinosis for the purposes of facilitating clinically accurate diagnosis and scientific treatment and improving prognosis.

Keywords: Cystinosis; Dent disease; Gitelman syndrome; Podocyte; Renal tubule disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cystinosis*
  • Gitelman Syndrome* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Kidney Calculi*
  • Kidney Glomerulus
  • Podocytes*