Medullary cystic kidney disease is an autosomal dominantkidney disorder characterized by tubulointerstitial sclerosis leading to end-stage renal disease. Because the presence of cysts is neither an early nor a typical diagnostic feature of the disease, and because at least 4 different gene mutations may give rise to the condition, the name autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease has been proposed, to be appended with the underlying genetic variant for a particular individual. Importantly, if cysts are found in the medullary collecting ducts they can result in a shrunken kidney, unlike that of polycystic kidney disease. There are two known forms of medullary cystic kidney disease, mucin-1 kidney disease 1 and mucin-2 kidney disease/uromodulin kidney disease. A third form of the disease occurs due to mutations in the gene encoding renin, and has formerly been known as familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy type 2.
Signs and symptoms
In terms of the signs/symptoms of medullary cystic kidney disease, the disease is not easy to diagnose and is uncommon. In this condition, loss of kidney function occurs slowly over time, however the following signs/symptoms could be observed in an affected individual: Some individuals with this disease develop gout, which is a condition in which patients develop severe pain and swelling in the big toe or another joint such as the knee. If untreated, it becomes chronic and affects the joints most of the time, instead of intermittently.
Cause
Normal individuals have two copies of the MUC1 and UMOD genes. The genes produce the protein mucin-1 and uromodulin, respectively. These proteins are expressed only in certain cells in the kidney – the thick ascending limb of Henle and distal convoluted tubule – both parts of the kidney tubule. The protein coats the surface of the tubule and protects the tubule. In MKD, individuals have one normal and one abnormal MUC1 gene. In uromodulin kidney disease, individuals have one normal and one abnormal UMOD gene. The abnormal gene produces a misfolded protein product that deposits within cells of the renal tubules. The abnormal protein builds up in the cell and causes it slowly to die, leading to an ultimate loss of the kidney's function manifesting as a disease state.
MKD1/Mucin-1 kidney disease
Mucin-1 kidney disease is due to a mutation within the MUC1 gene, which is located on chromosome 1. The mucin-1 protein is involved in the creation of a mucus-like substance that coats the surface of different small tubules in the body, it is expressed on distal tubular cells in the kidney. Mucin-1 kidney disease is caused by a mutation in the MUC1 gene. This mutation alters the genetic sequence in the MUC1 gene, resulting in a new, mutated protein, furthermore, The disease is extremely rare and its prevalence is unknown. This disease is autosomal dominant, meaning that it is characterized by a 50% chance of inheritance and slowly progressive chronic kidney disease that leads to the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. People with a mutation in this gene can have a variable rate of loss of kidney function, with some individuals going on dialysis in their thirties while others may not go on dialysis until later in life. Earlier on the condition was called medullary cystic kidney disease type 1. It was named this because some people with the disease had cysts in the middle of their kidneys. It has since then been found that these cysts are uncommon and are not found in the majority of the patients with MUC1 mutations. For this reason, this name has been abandoned, scientists specializing in this disease came together formally and created an official name for this and similar conditions. This condition was designated as Autosomal DominantTubulointerstitialKidney Disease. In autosomal dominant inheritance only one parent need be affected to pass down the disorder. Tubulointerstitial is used because the problems that occur in this disease result as a consequence of atrophy, of tubules, of the loop of Henle and fibrosis of the medullary interstitium.
MKD2/Uromodulin kidney disease
Medullary cystic kidney disease type 2 is due to mutations in a gene named UMOD on chromosome 16 that encodes a protein called uromodulin This disease is also autosomal dominant, meaning that it is characterized by a 50% chance of inheritance and slowly progressive chronic kidney disease that leads to the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. People with this disease suffer from gout relatively early in life. Mutations in this gene can lead to a variable rate of loss of kidney function. In MKD2 inheritance, just as MKD1, autosomal dominant indicates that 50% of children of an affected person will inherit the disease. "Tubulointerstitial" is used because the problems that occur in this disease happen in the compartment of the kidney known as the tubulointerstitium, a shorter name of the disease is used by most individuals - uromodulin kidney disease.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of medullary cystic kidney disease can be done via a physical exam. Further tests/exams are as follows:
A routine blood test called the serum creatinine can be done. Creatinine is a breakdown product from the muscle, as kidney function declines, the amount of blood creatinine goes up. Thus, most affected individuals have no symptoms of MCKD, but find that they have the condition due to an elevation in the blood creatinine level.
Affected individuals also have an elevation in the blood uric acid level. In MCKD, the kidney has difficulty getting rid of uric acid. One can find out that the uric acid level in the blood is high when a blood test is done. Gout is caused by high uric acid levels, and thus patients often have gout.
A kidney ultrasound in this condition usually shows normal or small sized kidneys. However, since cysts are present in many normal individuals, these cysts are not helpful in making a diagnosis, therefore a kidney biopsy can be done to determine if the individual has this disease. Kidney biopsy is a procedure where a needle is inserted into the kidney and removes a small piece of kidney tissue. This tissue is then examined under a microscope.
Definitive testing and diagnosis of MCKD can be made by analyzing the UMOD gene for mutations, this can be done by a blood test.
Treatment
In terms of treatment/management for medullary cystic kidney disease, at present there are no specific therapies for this disease, and there are no specific diets known to slow progression of the disease. However, management for the symptoms can be dealt with as follows: erythropoietin is used to treat anemia, and growth hormone is used when growth becomes an issue. Additionally, a kidney transplant may be needed at some point. Finally, foods that contain potassium and phosphate must be reduced.
