Autosomal Recessive Renal Tubular Dysgenesis Caused by a Founder Mutation of Angiotensinogen

INTRODUCTION: Autosomal recessive renal tubular dysgenesis (ARRTD) caused by inactivation mutations in AGT, REN, ACE, and AGTR is a very rare but fatal disorder with an unknown prevalence. METHODS: We report 6 Taiwanese individuals with ARRTD from 6 unrelated families diagnosed by renal histology. Clinical features, outcome, and prevalence of carrier heterozygosity were examined. RESULTS: All patients exhibited antenatal oligohydramnios, postnatal anuria, pulmonary hypoplasia, and profound hypotension refractory to interventions. Angiotensinogen (AGT) protein levels were diminished in the liver, along with reduced serum AGT, angiotensin I (Ang I) and angiotensin II (Ang II) levels. Neonatal demise occurred in all but 1 case. All individuals carried the same homozygous E3_E4 del:2870bp deletion+9bp insertion in AGT, which led to a truncated protein (1-292 amino acid). The allelic frequency of this heterozygous AGT mutation was approximately 1.2% (6/500), suggesting that ARRTD may not be exceedingly rare in Taiwan. This mutation results in skipping of exons encoding the serpin domain of AGT, which is important for renin interaction and the generation of truncated protein. In silico modeling revealed a diminished interaction between mutant AGT and renin. One patient survived after responding to high-dose hydrocortisone therapy, with resolution of profound hypotension, accompanied by an increase in serum AGT, Ang I, and Ang II levels. CONCLUSION: This AGT mutation may lead to the diminished interaction with renin and decreased Ang I and Ang II generation. Hydrocortisone may potentially rescue cases of ARRTD caused by this truncated AGT.