Mutations in alternative pathway complement proteins in American patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome

Hum Mutat. 2010 Jun;31(6):E1445-60. doi: 10.1002/humu.21256.

Abstract

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is characterized by acute renal failure, thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and occurs with an estimated incidence in the USA of 2 per 1,000,000. Disease pathogenesis is related to dysregulation of the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement cascade at the level of the cell membrane secondary to mutations in a number of complement genes including complement factor H (CFH), complement factor H-related 5 (CFHR5), complement factor I (CFI), CD46 (MCP), complement factor B (CFB), complement component 3 (C3) and thrombomodulin (THBD). Since aHUS is rare, mutation rate data in large patient cohorts are scarce. Here we present the first cohort of American patients in whom mutation screening was completed on all genes currently implicated in aHUS. In addition to identifying a number of novel variants, we provide information on the relative frequency of mutations in these genes in an American aHUS population. Twelve percent (12%) of patients carrying disease-associated genetic variants segregated mutations in more than one gene mandating comprehensive genetic testing in the diagnosis and management of these patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Complement C3 / genetics
  • Complement Factor B / genetics
  • Complement Factor H / genetics
  • Complement Factor I / genetics
  • Complement Pathway, Alternative / genetics*
  • Complement System Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Membrane Cofactor Protein / genetics
  • Mutation*
  • Thrombomodulin / genetics
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • CFHR5 protein, human
  • Complement C3
  • Membrane Cofactor Protein
  • Thrombomodulin
  • Complement Factor H
  • Complement System Proteins
  • Complement Factor I
  • Complement Factor B