Clinical implications of proximal tubular multicilia in glomerular diseases
Bohye Kim,
Boram Weon,
Evonne Kim,
Sohee Park,
Wencheng Jin,
Nayeon Shin,
Yun Kyu Oh,
Chun Soo Lim,
Jung Pyo Lee,
Obin Kwon,
Jeonghwan Lee
Affiliations
Bohye Kim
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Boram Weon
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
Evonne Kim
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Program, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Sohee Park
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Program, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
Wencheng Jin
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Nayeon Shin
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Yun Kyu Oh
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Chun Soo Lim
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Jung Pyo Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Obin Kwon
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, BK21 FOUR Biomedical Science Program, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Sensory Organ Research Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Corresponding author. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.
Jeonghwan Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Corresponding author. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Boramae Medical Center, 20, Boramae-ro 5-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 07061, South Korea.
Introduction: Multiciliated cells (MCCs) have been identified in the proximal tubules of patients with kidney disease; however, their clinical significance is unknown. We aimed to investigate whether MCCs are associated with clinical outcomes in patients with glomerular diseases. Methods: Between August 2012 and April 2021, 134 patients (including 126 with glomerular disease patients and 8 controls) who were hospitalized at Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital were included in this study. The ratio of MCCs to total proximal tubular cells was calculated using immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the MCC ratio and kidney disease-related clinical features was then analyzed. Results: MCCs were exclusively detected in patients with glomerular diseases (68.3 %), not those in the control group. Patients with diabetic kidney disease (88.9 %) or antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (GN, 86.4 %) had higher MCC ratios. MCC-positivity and MCC ratios were significantly associated with increased age and proteinuria, and a decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Patients with higher MCC ratios had a significantly higher risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and composite outcomes with death. In multivariable analysis, MCC ratios were significantly correlated with an increased risk of ESKD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.413; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.012–1.972) and composite outcome (HR, 1.401; 95 % CI, 1.028–1.909). Conclusion: Higher MCC ratios were correlated with poorer prognosis; therefore, quantification of MCCs in the proximal tubules can serve as a valuable prognostic marker in clinical practice.
