Alport's syndrome

Alport's syndrome is an inherited disease in which the function of the kidney [glomeruli is affected. Dysfunction consists in thinning of the basement membranes of glomeruli due to poor synthesis of collagen IV α-chains.

Causes
This syndrome is most often caused by a mutation in the gene for the α5 chain of collagen IV (most often a mutation in the gene COL4A5 on the X chromosome), less often by a mutation in the gene for the α3 or α4 chain of collagen IV. Heredity can be X-linked, autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant. The mutation causes the formation of defective chains, which are subsequently degraded, the α3,4,5 complex is not formed in the basement membrane. For this reason, the basement membrane is more prone to proteolysis, which manifests itself in morphological changes - the fiberization of the basement membrane and the alternation of its widened and narrowed sections.

Consequences
Classical Alport syndrome is characterized by impaired renal function (manifested as nephritic or nephrotic syndrome). In fully developed Alport syndrome (otherwise also progressive hereditary nephritis), bilateral hearing and eye disorders are added.

Eye disorders include anterior lenticon(practically pathognomic), maculopathy, posterior polymorphic corneal dystrophy, and corneal erosion.

Collagen IV also occurs in the basal layer of the epidermis. Here, this deficiency does not lead to any problems and can be used to make a diagnosis.

The so-called thin basal membrane syndrome is called a milder form of X-linked Alport syndrome, a mutation in the COL4A3 or COL4A4 gene. This syndrome can also be described for its morphology as non-progressive hereditary nephritis or for its manifestation also as so-called benign familial hematuria.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis consists of:

If a doctor discovers microscopic hematuria, Alport's syndrome should always be considered.
 * Physical examination and anamnesis.
 * Detailed family history and possible analysis of urine in close relatives.
 * Immunohistochemical examination of the basement membrane in renal or skin biopsy.
 * Examination of renal biopsy using an electron microscope.
 * Molecular genetic testing of the COL4A3, COL4A4 and COL4A5 genes.


 * Clinical signs supporting suspected Alport syndrome:
 * Renal - microhematuria, proteinuria, hypertension and renal insufficiency.
 * Hearing - bilateral hearing loss at high frequencies.
 * Ocular - anterior lenticon (15–20% of cases), perimacular hyperpigmentation(30% of cases).


 * Family history:Often hematuria, deafness and / or terminal stages of renal failure.


 * Clinical signs supporting suspicion of thin basement membrane syndrome:
 * Persistent haematuria without renal failure in both the affected individual and the family history

Therapy
Treatment is symptomatic and consists of correction of blood pressure and reduction of proteinuria (ACE inhibitors and / or angiotensin receptor blockers). The only possible therapy for end-stage renal disease in Alport's syndrome is currently hemodialysis or kidney transplantation. Gene therapy treatment is being considered in the future.

History
This congenital disease was described in 1927 by Dr. Cecil A. Alport thanks to a family in which men affected by deafness and progressive nephropathy were present for several generations. The essence of the disease was not discovered until the 1970s.