Super-Resolution Imaging of the Filtration Barrier Suggests a Role for Podocin R229Q in Genetic Predisposition to Glomerular Disease
Authors: Butt Linus , Unnersjö-Jess David , Höhne Martin , Hahnfeldt Robert , Reilly Dervla , Rinschen Markus M. , Plagmann Ingo , Diefenhardt Paul , Brähler Sebastian , Brinkkötter Paul T. , Brismar Hjalmar , Blom Hans , Schermer Bernhard , Benzing Thomas 
Published: December 2021

Significance Statement

Podocin R229Q results from the most frequent missense variant in NPHS2, and its association with FSGS when podocin R229Q is transassociated with a second mutation in NPHS2 is well recognized. However, because results from observational studies are ambiguous and appropriate animal studies are lacking, its isolated pathogenic potency is not entirely clear. In this study, the authors introduced this genetic alteration in mice and assessed the phenotype using super-resolution microscopy and albuminuria measurements. They demonstrated a deleterious effect of the variant on podocyte morphology and on the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier under basal conditions and after external glomerular injury. Because this finding suggests that this mutation confers a genetic predisposition to glomerular disease, it has implications for a large number of carriers worldwide.

Background

Diseases of the kidney’s glomerular filtration barrier are a leading cause of end stage renal failure. Despite a growing understanding of genes involved in glomerular disorders in children, the vast majority of adult patients lack a clear genetic diagnosis. The protein podocin p.R229Q, which results from the most common missense variant in NPHS2, is enriched in cohorts of patients with FSGS. However, p.R229Q has been proposed to cause disease only when transassociated with specific additional genetic alterations, and population-based epidemiologic studies on its association with albuminuria yielded ambiguous results.

Methods

To test whether podocin p.R229Q may also predispose to the complex disease pathogenesis in adults, we introduced the exact genetic alteration in mice using CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing (PodR231Q
). We assessed the phenotype using super-resolution microscopy and albuminuria measurements and evaluated the stability of the mutant protein in cell culture experiments.

Results

Heterozygous PodR231Q/wild-type
mice did not present any overt kidney disease or proteinuria. However, homozygous PodR231Q/R231Q
mice developed increased levels of albuminuria with age, and super-resolution microscopy revealed preceding ultrastructural morphologic alterations that were recently linked to disease predisposition. When injected with nephrotoxic serum to induce glomerular injury, heterozygous PodR231Q/wild-type
mice showed a more severe course of disease compared with Podwild-type/wild-type
mice. Podocin protein levels were decreased in PodR231Q/wild-type
and PodR231Q/R231Q
mice as well as in human cultured podocytes expressing the podocinR231Q variant. Our in vitro experiments indicate an underlying increased proteasomal degradation.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that podocin R231Q exerts a pathogenic effect on its own, supporting the concept of podocin R229Q contributing to genetic predisposition in adult patients.