Research Articles

Below is a compilation of some pertinent research articles.  While this list does not an exhaustive listing, it does include many pertinent findings. 

Genetics
Recent years have provided a number of discoveries into the genetics of NS and FSGS.  These scientific articles evaluate these breakthroughs in science

MYH9 is a Major-Effect Risk Gene for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Jeffrey Kopp et. al. (2008).

NPHS2 Variation in Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Stephen Tonna et. al. (2008).

Genetics of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Robert Woroniecki and Jeffrey Kopp (2007).

A Mutation in the TRPC6 Cation Channel Causes Familial Focal Segmental, Glomerulosclerosis , Michelle Winn et. al. (2005).

Genetic Forms of Nephrotic Syndrome, Patrick Niaudet (2004).

Genetic Models: Clues for Understanding the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome, Corrine Antignac (2002).

Mutations in ACTN4, Encoding -actinin-4, Cause Familial Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Joshua Kaplan et. al. (2000).

NPHS2, Encoding the Glomerular Protein Podocin, Is Mutated in Autosomal Recessive Steroid-resistant Nephrotic Syndrome, Nicolas Boute et. al. (2000).

Positionally Cloned Gene for a Novel Glomerular Protein—Nephrin—Is Mutated in Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, Marjo Kestila et. al. (1998).

Treatment and Therapies
While therapies used in the treatment of NS and FSGS have not substantially changed over the years, researchers continue to evaluate new treatments and therapies.  These articles evaluate currently used therapies as well as new medications emerging within the field.

Phase I Trial of Rosiglitazone in FSGS: Report of the FONT Study Group, Melanie S. Joy et. al. (2009).

Rituximab in Minimal Change Nephropathy and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: Report of Four Cases and Review of the Literature, H. Peters, N. van de Kar, J. Wetzels (2008).

Galactose Binds to Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Permeability Factor and Inhibits Its Activity, Virginia Savin et. al. (2008)

Evaluation of Management of Steroid-unresponsive Nephrotic Syndrome,
Marcela del Rio, MD and Frederick Kaskel, MD, PhD, (2008).

Therapeutic Approach to FSGS in Children, Debbie Gipson, Keisha Gibson, Patrick Gipson, Sandra Watkins, and Marva Moxey-Mims (2007).

Recurrence of FSGS after transplant
A number of FSGS patients who do not respond to therapy will develop end stage renal disease requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.  Following transplant recurrence of FSGS may occur

Rituximab Targets Podocytes in Recurrent Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Alessia Fornoni, et. al. (20011)

Kidney transplantation for primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: outcomes and response to therapy for recurrence, LJ Hickson et. al. (2009).

Recurrence of Nephrotic Syndrome/Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Following Renal Transplation in Children, Richard N. Fine (2007).

Patient demographics and outcome
Questions regarding the long term outcome of patients with NS and FSGS are common.  These scientific articles attempt to address those queries.

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis- Epidemiolgy Aspects in Children and Adults, Ronald Hogg, John Middleton and V. Matti Vehaskari (2007).

Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Children: a Longitudinal Assessment, Olivia Boyer, Janelle Moulder and Michael Somers (2007).

Changing Incidence of Glomerular Disease in Olmsted County, Minnesota: A 30-Year Renal Biopsy Study, Sundararaman Swaminathan et. al. (2006).

Twenty-one-year Trend in ESRD Due to Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in the United States, Chagriya Kitiyakara, Paul Eggers and Jeffrey Kopp (2004).

You may also read Lay Research Summaries providing the latest research and news on NS and FSGS.