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World Journal of Nephrology & Urology

Case Report

Volume 3, Number 1, March 2014, pages 49-53

The Heterogeneity and Controversy of C1q Nephropathy: A Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

The C1q nephropathy (C1qN) pattern was first described in 1982 [1]. By 1985, Jennette and Hipp defined the criteria for the diagnosis of this condition [2, 3]. The diagnosis is determined solely by kidney biopsy. The diagnostic criteria include the following: 1) diffuse, dominant/co-dominant C1q deposition in the glomerular mesangium on immunofluorescence (IF), with a minimum staining intensity of 2 on a scale of 0 to 4, 2) corresponding electron-dense deposits in the mesangium and/or the paramesangium on electron microscopy (EM) and 3) absence of any clinical or serological evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Since type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis can also exhibit strong C1q staining, it has been added as an exclusion criterion.

C1qN commonly presents as steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in children and young adults. The histological picture is variable and ranges from glomeruli with normal appearance to mesangial proliferation to segmental glomerular sclerosis. C1qN lies in the spectrum between minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). We present two cases of C1qN identified in Saudi Arabia, highlight the heterogeneity of this disease and review the literature.

A 39-year-old non-diabetic, normotensive man presented with mild generalized swelling without history of recent or past infection. Laboratory tests revealed sub-nephrotic range proteinuria (0.36 g/day) and microscopic hematuria. Serum values of albumin (37.0 g/L), creatinine (67 µmol/L), complements (C3: 1.21 g/L and C4: 0.203 g/L) and urea (3.0 mmol/L) were within normal limits.

An 8-year-old boy with history of nephrotic syndrome since 2 years of age presented with resistance to treatment. Laboratory tests indicated presence of nephrotic range proteinuria (25.98 g/day). Serum albumin was low (20.0 g/L). Serum creatinine (32 µmol/L) and serum urea (2.0 mmol/L) were within normal limits. There was no hematuria.

Anti-streptolysin O titer, anti-nuclear antibody, double-stranded DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen, HCV antibody and anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies were negative in both patients. A renal biopsy was performed in both patients.

The tissue samples obtained were processed for light microscopy, IF (IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C1q, fibrinogen and albumin) and EM. Case 1 biopsy showed diffuse mesangial proliferation and matrix expansion with no sclerosis (Fig. 1). Case 2 biopsy showed segmental sclerosis in about 30% of the glomeruli examined and minimal mesangial proliferation (Fig. 2). Neither showed any extracapillary or endocapillary proliferation. IF showed dominant diffuse granular mesangial staining with C1q in biopsy samples from both patients. In case 1, IgG, IgM and C3 mesangial staining were less intense, whereas IgA was negative. In case 2, IgM and IgG were weakly positive and the remaining reactants were negative. EM demonstrated few electron-dense deposits in the mesangium with patchy effacement of the podocytes in both cases; however, the effacement was more widespread in case 2. The glomerular basement membrane was of normal thickness. No tubule-reticular inclusions were identified in either case. C1qN was diagnosed after examination of biopsy specimens from both patients.

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Figure 1. (A) Light microscopy of kidney biopsy specimen shows mild mesangial proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion (periodic acid-Schiff stain; original magnification × 400). (B) Immunofluorescence microscopy of kidney biopsy specimen shows global mesangial staining with complement C1q (anti-C1q antibody immunofluorescence; original magnification × 400). (C, D) Electron microscopy of kidney biopsy specimen shows electron dense immune deposits in the glomerular mesangium with extension into the paramesangium (uranyl acetate, lead citrate stain; original magnification × 8,000 and × 15,000 respectively).

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Figure 2. (A) Light microscopy of kidney biopsy specimen shows segmental sclerosis and the glomerular, basement membrane is of normal thickness (periodic acid-Schiff stain; original magnification × 400). (B) Immunofluorescence microscopy of kidney biopsy specimen shows global mesangial staining with complement C1q (anti-C1q antibody immunofluorescence; original magnification × 400). (C, D) Electron microscopy of kidney biopsy specimen shows electron dense immune deposits in the glomerular mesangium (uranyl acetate, lead citrate stain; original magnification × 8,000 and × 20,000 respectively).

C1qN is characterized by the presence of a dominant or co-dominant deposition of C1q in the mesangium as evidenced on IF and EM, in the absence of any clinical or serological evidence of SLE. Furthermore, absence of a membranoproliferative pattern and hypocomplementemia has been added to the diagnostic criteria [2-4]. The extent of effacement of the podocytes correlates with the degree of proteinuria. Tubuloreticular inclusion bodies are typically absent. The diagnosis of C1qN, similar to IgA nephropathy, is primarily based on the presence of a dominant/co-dominant reactant on IF with corresponding deposits on EM. It is an under-reported diagnosis since many institutes do not routinely perform C1q staining for IF examination of kidney biopsy specimens.

The global incidence of C1qN in the biopsied pediatric population ranges from 1.9% to 6.6% [5]. The incidence in children biopsied for SRNS is 16% [6]. The global prevalence of C1qN ranges from 0.21% to 4% [2, 3, 7, 8]. The prevalence in our hospital has been 0.40% from 2009 to 2013.

Clinically, C1qN tends to occur in children; however, the age range can vary [7]. In the cases reported herein, one patient was an 8-year-old boy and the other was a 39-year-old man. C1qN commonly presents as relapsing or SRNS. It can also present as sub-nephrotic proteinuria, microhematuria or chronic renal disease [9, 10].

There is significant heterogeneity in the findings of light microscopy with a wide spectrum of histological patterns, ranging from no glomerular alterations to focal or diffuse mesangial proliferation to focal segmental sclerosis [8]. Additionally, proliferative glomerulonephritis can occur rarely [8].

C1qN has been divided into two subsets: 1) podocytopathic type with podocyte effacement, proteinuria and an MCD to FSGS histology; and 2) immune complex-mediated type with hematuria or chronic kidney disease and focal to diffuse proliferative disease on histology [8]. Both of our cases were classified as podocytopathic type.

The etiopathogenesis of C1qN is not clear. C1q is produced mainly by antigen-presenting cells such as monocytes and macrophages, and its production is regulated by immune complexes, interferon gamma, lipopolysaccharides and corticosteroids [11, 12]. C1q is the first complement of the classical pathway. The complement cascade is activated by the binding of C1q to the Fc receptors on IgG. Once C1q is activated, the complement pathway is triggered, resulting in the formation of membrane attack complex.

C1qN is an idiopathic disease. Multiple mechanisms have been suggested for C1q deposition in mesangial cells: 1) the passage of plasma proteins in the glomerulus leads to non-specific entrapment of these immunoglobulins in the mesangium and the C1q then binds to Fc receptors of these trapped immunoglobulins; 2) immune complex formation with C1q; 3) C1q directly binds to receptors on the mesangial cells; and 4) increased synthesis of C1q by the macrophages triggered by inflammatory cytokines [5, 13].

C1qN has been reported in association with Bartter syndrome [14], Gitelman syndrome [15] and in a case of chromosome 13 deletion with retinoblastoma [16]. C1qN development in early childhood was also reported in two siblings [17]. Collectively, these findings suggest the presence of genetic associations. However, no genetic testing was performed in our patients.

It may be argued that when other immunoglobulins are also positive on IF, the pathology actually involves seronegative lupus nephritis that ultimately becomes overt. Jones and Magil and Sharman et al reported such non-systemic mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis without progression to overt lupus nephritis [1, 18]. Therefore, the term seronegative lupus nephritis is not useful. On the contrary, the term is confusing and can cause the patient considerable anxiety. In such cases, a diagnosis of C1qN is more appropriate. Furthermore, circulating C1q antibody, typically present in SLE, is absent in C1qN [19, 20]. C1qN should also be distinguished from IgA nephropathy, in which IgA is the dominant stain instead of C1q. C1qN can also be confused with FSGS, but electron-dense immune deposits are very rare in a simple case of FSGS, vis-a-vis the characteristic deposits in the mesangium of a patient with C1qN.

The treatment of C1qN involves combinations of corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and alkylating agents. Analysis of the published literature on C1qN treatment in pediatric patients showed that 96% of patients were treated with corticosteroids, of which 66% had partial response, 30% were steroid-resistant and 14% progressed to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) [5]. Patients with nephrotic syndrome and MCD histology responded well to treatment and had good prognosis, while patients with FSGS morphology showed poor outcome, with almost 30% progressing to ESKD. Kersnik et al and Vizjak et al reported similar findings [8, 9]. Patients with nephrotic syndrome fared poorly compared to those without nephrotic syndrome [21]. Consistent with these findings, case 1 had only mild mesangial proliferation and responded well to corticosteroid treatment, currently being in complete remission. Case 2 had FSGS histology and showed poor response to cyclosporine combined with immunosuppressive therapy, currently being in partial remission. Therefore, the management and prognosis of C1qN is based not on the deposition of C1q but on the clinical picture, the biopsy findings on light microscopy, and the status of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Perhaps this is why the status of C1qN as an established disease is controversial.

In summary, we report the cases of a child and an adult with C1qN with variable presentation, features and prognosis. We recommend that every relapsing or SRNS patient undergo kidney biopsy and that C1q IF staining be routinely performed in examinations of all kidney biopsy specimens. Moreover, we also consider that C1qN should be part of the differential diagnosis of proteinuria. Although C1qN is a controversial diagnosis and more studies are needed for this disease to become universally established and adopted, we suggest that C1qN be classified as a separate clinicopathological entity, awaiting further study outcomes.

Grant Support

There is no support or funding for this manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest with this manuscript.

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