Proteomic profiling of kidney biopsies in nephrotic syndrome

Minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are patterns of kidney injury observed in the filtering units of the kidney known as glomeruli. From the NURTuRE cohort of individuals with nephrotic syndrome (NS), we performed laser microdissection and mass spectrometry analysis of kidney biopsy samples to identify proteomic patterns of disease. 56 individuals with idiopathic NS segregated by histological pattern (37 MCD and 19 FSGS) across three age groups: early childhood (0-6 years), late childhood (6-18 years) and adult (>18 years). We identified global differences in glomerular cell and extracellular matrix composition related to both histological pattern and age.