TNFα pathway blockade ameliorates toxic effects of FSGS plasma on podocyte cytoskeleton and β3 integrin activation.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of mutant genes encoding components of the podocyte slit diaphragm, about 30-50 % of children with primary glucocorticoid-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) develop recurrent proteinuria and slowly progressive FSGS lesions following renal transplantation. Recurrence of FSGS in the allograft strongly suggests a circulating factor that disturbs normal podocyte biology. To date, the nature of the circulating factor is unclear, and there is no cure for the recurrent form of FSGS (R-FSGS).
METHODS: Cultured differentiated human podocytes were exposed to the plasmapheresis effluent or blood plasma samples from pediatric patients with recurrent or primary FSGS; in some cases, podocytes were pre-incubated with specific antibodies to block the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) signaling pathway. Integrity of focal adhesion complexes and actin cytoskeleton were investigated by immunofluorescent microscopy.
RESULTS: Plasmapheresis effluent from an R-FSGS child or fresh plasma from two children with primary FSGS rapidly disturbed the cytoskeleton of normal human podocytes in vitro. Plasma from a child with R-FSGS also activated β3 integrin and dispersed focal adhesion complexes. The effects were reversed by pre-incubation with antibodies against TNFα or either of the two TNFα receptors. When our patient with R-FSGS became resistant to plasmapheresis, we initiated treatment with twice weekly etanercept injections and then infliximab. Within 3 weeks of regular anti-TNFα therapy, the patient achieved sustained partial remission of proteinuria, allowing us to wean her off plasmapheresis completely.
CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that in some FSGS patients, disruption of the podocyte cytoskeleton and β3 integrin-mediated podocyte attachment are driven by the TNFα pathway.