Functional Implications of Rare Gene Mutations in aHUS Open the Door to Personalized Therapy

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

• Registration Number: NCT05805202
• Lead Sponsor: Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research

Brief Summary

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a rare disease characterized by rupture of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), and thrombotic occlusion of small vessels (thrombotic microangiopathy), with prevalent involvement of the kidneys.

SEU, in its typical form is caused by gastrointestinal infection with Escherichia coli.

The atypical form of SEU (aSEU), which is not caused by an Escherichia coli infection, is a very rare disease that may have a genetic origin; it affects both children and adults and may occur in a sporadic or familial form. Many studies have shown that about 60% of cases of atypical HUS are associated with genetic abnormalities of the complement system (particularly the so-called "alternative pathway"), which is a key part of the immune system for responding to infection. Complement consists of a series of proteins that, when activated, create a so-called "cascade," which leads to the elimination of the infectious agent, either directly or through other cells. Complement is finely regulated in such a way as to prevent damage to healthy cells in one's own body. Genetic defects in some of these complement regulatory proteins cause reduced protection of the endothelial surface (thus the vessel wall) against complement activation.

Recently, new mutations have been described in a gene unrelated to the complement pathway, the DKGE gene, which codes for the intracellular isoform of diacylglycerol kinase . In these patients, small renal vessel occlusion appears to occur as a result of altered endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis through mechanisms apparently unrelated to complement activation. However, to date these mechanisms are poorly studied. Throughout the entire project statistical methods will be applied to optimize the characterization of the abnormalities in phenotype and function of iPSC-EC derived from aHUS patients with either DGKE or MCP genetic abnormalities as compared with control iPSC-EC, including identifying potential drugs that could correct the abnormalities

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-03-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-03-28
• Study First Posted: 2023-04-07
• Study Start: 2023-05-03
• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-23
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-29
• Primary Completion: 2026-12-31
• Study Completion: 2026-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 112

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults and children with aHUS defined by history of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia (hematocrit (Ht) <30%, hemoglobin (Hb) <10 g/dL, LDH >500 IU/L, undetectable haptoglobin, fragmented erythrocytes in the peripheral blood smear with negative Coomb's test, and platelet count <150,000/microL), associated with acute renal failure.
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• TTP (ADAMTS13 activity <10%)
• STEC-HUS (presence of stx and eae genes or Shiga-toxin in the stools and/or serum antibodies against Shiga-toxin and/or STEC LPS).
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (prolonged thromboplastin time and lower than normal fibrinogen levels).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Generation and characterization of patient-specific and healthy donor iPSC	once during the study
Differentiation of iPSC into endothelial cells	once during the study
Characterizationof iPSC into endothelial cells	once during the study
Cell culture viability	once during the study

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centro di Ricerche Cliniche per le Malattie Rare "Aldo e Cele Daccò"; 🇮🇹 Ranica, BG, Italy