Identification of Biomarkers Predictive of Worse Prognosis in Henoch Schonlein Purpura

Henoch Schonlein Purpura (HSP), vasculitis of small vessels with deposits of IgA, is considered by many authors as the systemic form of Berger's disease (IgA-N). IgA-N is characterized by IgA1 deposits in mesangial areas associated with mesangial proliferation. These two diseases remain the leading cause of ESRD by primitive glomerulopathy in Western countries. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of IgA-N. However, only a high rate of proteinuria at one year or the presence of severe glomerular inflammation on renal biopsy remain predictors of long term renal function. Moreover, the high variability of HSP clinical expression, from few purpura skin lesions that evolve favourably spontaneously, to rapidly progressive renal failure, remains so far unexplained but suggests the existence of individual genetic susceptibility.

In the first part of the study, we will study key factors based on physiopathological data obtained by our laboratory as well as by other groups. The second part of the study concerns genetic factors. Although the candidate genes that may confer a particular susceptibility to the disease, to progress to ESRD or respond to treatment are many, the genes involved in inflammation or controlling renin-angiotensin system are of particular interest.

We will apply these results by studying patients with HSP showing three distinct phenotypes (HSP with isolated cutaneous purpura or associated with minimal or severe renal disease) at diagnosis and after clinical remission.

The purpose of this study is to assess whether the phenotype at diagnosis is associated with the physiological markers and if one of them predicts a pejorative evolution of renal disease at 1 year. Meanwhile, study of polymorphism of selected genes of interest could allow identification of patients with specific genetic susceptibility or with bad prognosis factors who would be thus eligible for specific treatment.