Rituximab Treatment for PR3-ANCA-Positive Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Associated with Adult-Onset Periodic Fever Syndrome

Abstract

We report the case of a 36-year-old Japanese woman with nephrotic syndrome due to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) Type I diagnosed after a 5-year history of periodic fever syndrome (PFS). Hypocomplementemia and elevation of anti-proteinase 3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (PR3-ANCA) were observed. HIV, and hepatitis B and C serology were negative. Nephrotic syndrome and periodic fever did not respond to oral steroid and intravenous steroid pulse therapies combined with cyclosporine, dipyridamole, warfarin and losartan. We tried immunotherapy using rituximab, a human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen on mature B cells. This therapeutic approach led to improvement of renal function and remission of nephrotic syndrome and hypocomplementemia. However, it did not have a beneficial effect on periodic fever. Suspecting adult-onset hereditary PFS, we analyzed her genetic alteration of MEFV and TNFRSF1A genes. A rare genotype in intron 6 of TNFRSF1A was revealed. The etiological relationship between periodic fever and MPGN is discussed. Rituximab is a hopeful choice of induction therapy for refractory MPGN.

Introduction

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) refers to an immune complex glomerulonephritis characterized by diffuse mesangial proliferation and interposition of mesangial cells into glomerular capillary walls, with double-contoured appearance of glomerular basement membranes [1]. MPGN is not a diagnostic label for one disease, but rather a description of a glomerular reaction to a variety of causes [1].

Periodic fever syndromes (PFS) are defined as diseases with recurrent episodes of systemic inflammation with spiking fever and spontaneous resolution [2]. They are now classified as autoinflammatory disorders involving dysregulations of innate immunity. Besides hereditary periodic fevers, the definition of PFS has been expanded to include other nongenetic disorders with similar clinical patterns including those of adult onset [2].

We describe a case with adult-onset periodic fever and MPGN, which was resistant to conventional steroid therapy. The effect of rituximab on this case was impressive: Although the nephrotic syndrome was remarkably ameliorated by rituximab treatment, the periodic fever was almost unchanged. We discuss the etiological relationship between MPGN and periodic fever.

Case Report

A 36-year-old Japanese woman was referred to a local hospital in August 2003 because of frequent asthmatic attacks, skin rash and periodic high-grade fever. Her medical history was childhood asthma. Despite repeated bacterial cultures, endoscopies, bone marrow examination and imaging studies including gallium scintigraphy and positron emission tomography, the cause of her fever could not be identified and antibiotics including isoniazid were ineffective. Her periodic fever did not improve after her asthma had ameliorated by combination therapy of weekly intravenous methylprednisolone, oral cyclosporine and intramuscular gold sodium thiomalate. No recurrent fever was noted in her family.

In November 2008, she presented with facial edema and gain of body weight (52 to 60 kg), nephrotic-range proteinuria and hematuria, impaired renal function, hypocomplementemia and positivity of anti-proteinase 3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (PR3-ANCA, 46.0 U/ml; normal value <10 U/ml). She was transferred to our hospital in February 2009 for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

The patient was pale, febrile (38.7°C) and hypertensive (176/100 mm Hg). She had normal heart and vesicular sounds. Edema of the eyelids was observed. Examinations for skin eruption, ulcer in the oral cavity, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy were negative. She had neither joint deformity nor serositis.

Laboratory examinations, listed in table 1, revealed a white blood cell count of 4,900/μl (with 3,800 neutrophils/μl and 100 eosinophils/μl), a hemoglobin level of 6.4 g/dl, and a platelet count of 20.0 × 10⁴/μl. Biochemical investigations revealed a serum creatinine level of 1.71 mg/dl (151 μmol/l), a BUN level of 26 mg/dl (9.28 mmol/l), a serum total protein level of 5.6 g/dl and a serum albumin level of 2.8 g/dl. Lowered serum iron (5 μg/dl) and transferrin saturation (2.3%) were also observed.

Table 1.

Laboratory data on admission

Parameters	Values	Normal ranges
Blood count
White blood cells	4,900/μl	3,500–9,100
Eosinophils	2.4%	0–5.8
Red blood cells	246×104/μl	376–500
Hemoglobin	6.4 g/dl	11.3–15.2
Platelets	20×104/μl	13–36.9
Blood chemistry
Total protein	5.6 g/dl	6.9–8.4
Albumin	2.8 g/dl	3.9–5.1
Total cholesterol	168 mg/dl	127–258
Blood urea nitrogen	26 mg/dl	8–20
Creatinine	1.71 mg/dl	0.38–0.90
Uric acid	7.9 mg/dl	2.3–5.9
Sodium	146 mmol/l	136–148
Potassium	3.3 mmol/l	3.6–5.0
Chloride	105 mmol/l	96–108
Calcium	7.7 mg/dl	8.2–9.6
Inorganic phosphate	4.1 mg/dl	2.4–4.6
Iron	5 μg/dl	53–158
Unsaturated iron binding	208 μg/dl	142–341
capacity
Ferritin	39.9 ng/ml	3.0–59.2
C-reactive protein	1.43 mg/dl	<0.06
Urinalysis
Gravity	1.015	1.005–1.035
pH	7.5	5.0–8.0
Protein	+++	–
Glucose	–	–
Occult blood reaction	+++	–
Urine sediment
Erythrocytes	30/high-power field
Hyaline casts	1–2/whole field
Granular casts	1–2/whole field
Urinary protein	5.6g/day,	<0.03g/l
	7.2 g/1 g creatinine

Urinalysis showed proteinuria (5.7 g/day; 6.1 g/g creatinine) with dysmorphic hematuria (>30/HPF). Anti-nuclear antibody titer was within normal range, and all of the following autoantibodies were negative: anti-ds DNA, anti-Sm, anti-SS-A, anti-SS-B, anti-cardiolipin (IgM and IgG class) and anti-GBM antibodies. Anti-streptolysin antibody and anti-streptokinase antibody were negative. 50% hemolytic unit of complement was markedly decreased (<11.0 U/ml; normal range, 24.7–39.5 U/ml), as well as C3 (19 mg/dl; normal range, 86–160 mg/dl) and C4 (10 mg/dl; normal range, 17–45 mg/dl). Rheumatoid factor (1–160; normal value, <1–40) and immune complex (C1q binding assay, 29.5 μg/ml; normal value, <2.9 μg/ml) were detected. Although IgG-type cryoglobulinemia was detected, it was less than 1% in cryocrit. Viral serology (hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus) was negative. Serum levels of IgG, IgG4, IgA, IgD and IgE were within normal range but IgM was increased (414 mg/dl; normal range, 46–260 mg/dl). Serum and urinary protein immunoelectrophoresis did not detect M-proteins. Serum PR3-ANCA level was elevated (44.1 U/ml; normal value, <3.5 U/ml) but MPO-ANCA level was within normal range. The QuantiFERON-TB^TM Gold test was negative. The patient did not fulfill American College of Rheumatology criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's), and Churg-Strauss syndrome.

Percutaneous renal biopsy was performed on February 3, 2009. Diffuse mesangial and endocapillary proliferative lesions, lobulation of the glomerular tuft and double contour of glomerular basement membrane were observed (fig. 1A and B), with cellular or fibrocellular crescents in over 50% of glomeruli (fig. 1B). Immunofluorescence studies (fig. 1C) revealed mesangial and capillary wall staining of C3c and C1q. In contrast, marginal segmental staining of IgG, IgA and IgM (not shown) was observed. Mesangial and subendothelial (fig. 1D) electron-dense deposits were observed in electron microscopy.

Fig. 1.

Renal biopsy findings. A Light microscopy image showed endocapillary and mesangial proliferation (H&E stain, original magnification ×200). B A glomerulus showed lobulation of glomerular tuft, eosinophilic subendothelial deposits (arrows), double contour of the glomerular basement membrane (arrowheads), and cellular crescent formation (PAM-Masson stain, original magnification ×200). C Immunofluorescence micrographs showed positive staining for C3c and C1q in mesangium and periphery. However, stainings of IgG and IgA were scarce. D Subendothelial electron dense deposits (arrow) were found in electron micrograph.

Although C1q was stained in glomerular capillary loop, immunoglobulins were minimally stained. These findings were consistent with histopathological characteristics of MPGN Type I [1] rather than those of lupus nephritis or secondary MPGN by cryoglobulinemia. Serum cryoglobulin turned negative in February 2010, irrespective of the state of nephrotic syndrome.

Her fever was periodic (fever spike of >39°C every 10 days to 2 weeks), associated with arthralgia and urticaria-like skin rash. Her skin rash lasted for <8 h and no residual effect was observed. She did not have chest pain or abdominal pain with fever. Her fever synchronized with elevation of C-reactive protein (dashed line, fig. 2E) and neutrophilia (not shown). Peripheral blood level of proinflammatory cytokines was elevated: TNF-α, 21.2 pg/ml (reference range, 0.6–2.8 pg/ml); IL-1β, 15 pg/ml (reference value, <10 pg/ml); and IL-6, 97.6 pg/ml (reference value, <0.4 pg/ml). These observations led us to suspect hereditary PFS. However, she did not have any disease-specific features such as prolonged fever pattern, cold-induced fever, deafness, deforming arthropathy, elevated IgD, or monoclonal gammopathy. Two diseases, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), are described as possibly being of adult onset among hereditary PFS [2]. We analyzed the patient's genes for these two diseases. As for FMF, no mutation in exons 1, 2, 3 and 10 of the MEFV gene was detected (Dr. Kiyoshi Migita, personal communication). The patient had a rare genotype (c.625+10G/G) in intron 6 of the TNF receptor gene TNFRSF1A, but no mutation in exons 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 (Dr. Hiroaki Ida, personal communication). The pathogenic role of this genotype is unknown. Her disease was diagnosed as MPGN Type I associated with unclassified adult-onset PFS.

Fig. 2.

A–E Therapies and time course of clinical parameters. Therapies are shown at the top. The dose of colchicine was 0.5–2 mg/day. MP = Methylprednisolone; UP = urinary protein; UCr = urinary creatinine; RBx = renal biopsy; S-Alb = serum albumin; S-Cre = serum creatinine; BT = body temperature; CRP = C-reactive protein. F Peripheral blood flow cytometry profiles. CD19⁺SSC^low B cells (upper left quadrant of middle column) were substantially depleted by administration of rituximab (right column). RTX = Rituximab; Ab = antibody; SSC = side scatter.

She was treated with 3 doses of intravenous methylprednisolone (500 mg/day) followed by oral methylprednisolone (40 mg/day) (fig. 2). Although steroid therapy partially improved several parameters, nephrotic syndrome and renal function worsened as steroids were tapered (fig. 2A–C). High-dose steroid therapy did not substantially ameliorate her periodic fever. Colchicine, effective for FMF [2], did not improve her fever (fig. 2E). Under these backgrounds, rituximab treatment was proposed.

For the use of rituximab the patient's written informed consent and approval of the Bioethics Committee of Jichi Medical University were obtained. Rituximab (375 mg/m²) was given once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Peripheral blood CD19⁺ B cells were depleted (fig. 2F, middle and right columns). Proteinuria, serum albumin, renal function and hypocomplementemia rapidly ameliorated to baseline (fig. 2A–C). Despite remarkable improvement of nephrotic syndrome and hypocomplementemia, her periodic fever was unchanged after rituximab treatment (fig. 2E). Proteinuria decreased to <1 g/day and complement levels were within normal range, but her fever was unaltered until 1 year after administration of rituximab.

Discussion

We reported a case of MPGN Type I with periodic fever and systemic inflammatory symptoms (shivers, joint pain, and skin rash) common in PFS. To date, over 10 PFS have been reported. They include FMF, TRAPS, Schnitzler's syndrome, mevalonate kinase deficiency, the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, deficiency of the interleukin (IL)-1-receptor antagonist, pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne syndrome, periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome and Blau syndrome [2]. Three of these diseases can be of adult onset [2]. Because the characteristics of Schnitzler's syndrome (monoclonal IgM gammopathy and chronic urticarial rash) were not found, the candidate diagnoses were FMF and TRAPS. The patient did not have any obvious genetic alterations in MEFV and TNFRSF1A. However, her disease may still be diagnosed as one of these syndromes, since incomplete FMF cases and TRAPS-like cases without TNFRSF1A mutation have been reported [3, 4]. Because new genetic syndromes of periodic fever are still discovered at a rate of about 1 every 2 years [2], a new disease is another possible diagnosis.

MPGN encompasses both idiopathic and secondary forms associated with infections, cryoglobulinemia, autoimmune diseases, neoplasms, and thrombotic microangiopathies [1]. To review the literature, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched combining the terms MPGN and periodic fever. To date, 2 cases of MPGN with PFS (FMF) were reported [5]. One important aspect in the pathogenesis of MPGN is abnormalities in humoral immunity, especially those against the complement system. They are represented by the production of immune complexes and autoantibodies against proteins in the complement system such as C3 convertase or C1q [1]. Unfortunately, C3 nephritic factor was not examined, but increased serum immune complex measured by solid phase C1q binding assay (table 2) and predominant deposition of C1q in glomeruli (fig. 1C) suggests the involvement of autoantibody against C1q. We hypothesize that there is an etiologic relationship between periodic fever (autoinflammation) and MPGN in this case.

Table 2.

Immunological findings and serum cytokine levels

Parameters	Values	Normal ranges
IgG	1,072 mg/dl	870–1,700
IgA	150 mg/dl	110–410
IgM	414 mg/dl	46–260
IgE	22 U/ml	<216
IgD	2 mg/dl	2–12
IgG4	16.6 mg/dl	4.8–150
M-protein	Negative	Negative
ASO	<20 U/ml	<187
ASK	×80	×1,280
Rheumatoid factor	×160	×40
Anti-nuclear antibody	Negative	Negative
Anti-ds DNA antibody	Negative	Negative
Anti-Sm antibody	Negative	Negative
Anti-cardiolipin antibody (IgM-class)	Negative	Negative
Anti-cardiolipin antibody (IgG-class)	Negative	Negative
Anti-SS-A antibody	Negative	Negative
Anti-SS-B antibody	Negative	Negative
Anti-GBM antibody	Negative	Negative
Cryoglobulin (IgG-class)	Positive	Negative
Cryocrit	<1%	0
MPO-ANCA	<1.3 U/ml	<9.0
PR3-ANCA	44.1 U/ml	<3.5
Immune complex	29.5 μg/ml	<2.9
C3	19 mg/dl	86–160
C4	10 mg/dl	17–45
CH50	<11.0 U/ml	24.7–39.5
Hepatitis B antigen	Negative	Negative
Hepatitis C antibody	Negative	Negative
Serological tests for syphilis	Negative	Negative
HIV antibody	Negative	Negative
Blood culture	Negative	Negative
QuantiFERON-TB test	Negative	Negative
TNF-α	21.2 pg/ml	0.6–2.8
IL-1β	15 pg/ml	<10
IL-6	97.6 pg/ml	<0.4

During inflammation, the combination of the inflammatory mediators released from activated antigen-presenting cells and the increased expression of co-stimulatory molecules can have effects on priming lymphocytes [6]. This can be the basis for a persistent hyperproduction of antibodies and the formation of immune complexes preferentially localizing to the subendothelial space of glomeruli. Autoreactive lymphocytes also can be activated in these circumstances, particularly if tissue destruction by the inflammation leads to an increase in the availability of the self-antigen [6]. Activated innate immunity results in the formation of protein complexes termed inflammasomes. Shaw et al. [7] described that the role of inflammasome in some autoimmune diseases is probable because inflammasome products such as IL-1β play a role in shaping adaptive immunity through activation of T cells and B cells. This may result in the production of (auto)antibodies possibly against complement factors or proteinases. Regarding MPGN as the dysregulation of humoral immunity secondary to autoinflammation, it makes sense that rituximab created complete remission of MPGN but scarcely had an effect on periodic fever. A similar clinical course was reported in a case of acquired periodic fever, in which depletion of B cells by rituximab resulted in a dramatic reduction of immunoglobulin but did not have a beneficial effect on systemic inflammatory symptoms [8].

PR3-ANCA is closely associated with systemic vasculitis, especially granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's). The pathogenic roles and diagnostic values of ANCA are established [9]. However, in several reports ANCA is also related to other inflammatory diseases, drug administration and infection [9]. PR3-ANCA in this case did not correlate with renal function or urinary findings (fig. 2A–D). This suggests that in our case the production of ANCA reflects neutrophil-activating conditions due to inflammation, not a state specific to vasculitis [10]. The early decrease of ANCA may have occurred due to immunosuppression by methylprednisolone. After administration of rituximab, the level of PR3-ANCA slightly decreased from 4.7 U/ml to 3.7 U/ml.

Although the primary indication for rituximab is B-cell neoplasm, encouraging results have been observed in autoimmune diseases such as lupus nephritis, systemic vasculitis, and glomerular diseases [11]. Rituximab therapy has been applied for MPGNs related to HCV [12], cryoglobulinemia [11], post transplantation [13], and B-cell tumors [14]. Clinical studies of rituximab in glomerulonephritis have been performed for lupus nephritis, vasculitis and membranous nephropathy [15], but rituximab is regarded as a future therapeutic strategy for MPGN [1]. Our case suggests the future use of rituximab as induction therapy in MPGN refractory to conventional therapies.

In conclusion, we reported the case of an adult with periodic fever complicated by nephrotic syndrome 5 years after the onset of fever. An elevation of PR3-ANCA was also observed. By renal biopsy, the renal disease was diagnosed as MPGN Type I. Rituximab treatment led to complete remission of nephrotic syndrome but had virtually no effect on periodic fever. This unique pattern of effect implies that rituximab only improved immune dysregulation (MPGN) but did not improve its etiological background (PFS or autoinflammation). Rituximab is a hopeful drug for the treatment of refractory MPGN.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.