The role of biased calcium-sensing receptor signalling in urinary calcium excretion and kidney stone disease

Michelle Goldsworthy1,2, Asha Bayliss2, Anna Gluck2, Akira Wiberg3, Benjamin Turney1, DominicFurniss3, Rajesh Thakker2, Sarah Howles1,2 1Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.2Academic Endocrine Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UnitedKingdom.3Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Universityof Oxford, United Kingdom. Nephrolithiasis is a major health burden with a poorly understood pathogenesis. We conducted a genome-wide association study in British and Japanese populations identifying twenty nephrolithiasis-associated loci. Mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) cause disorders of calcium homeostasis and five identified loci (DGKD, DGKH, WDR72, GPIC1 and BCR) were predicted to influence CaSR-signalling. In a validation population, we demonstrated that genotype at the DGKD-associated locus correlated with urinary calcium excretion but not serum calcium concentration. In vitro studies demonstrated that knockdown and overexpression of DGKD resulted in biased CaSR-signalling. Thus, treatment of CaSR-expressing HEK cells with DGKD-targeted siRNA (DGKD-KD), resulted in decreased MAPK responses to alterations in extracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]e, as assessed by SRE-reporter and ERK-phosphorylation (pERK) assays, when compared to cells treated with scrambled siRNA (WT) but without alteration in intracellular calcium responses [Ca2+]i as assessed by NFAT-reporter and Fluo-4 calcium assays (SRE maximal response DGKD-KD =5.28 fold change vs. WT=7.20 p=0.0065, pERK maximal response DGKD-KD=24.77, vs. WT= 39.46 fold change, p=0.0056). Conversely, DGKD overexpression (DGKD-OE) increased MAPK responses but suppressed [Ca2+]i responses to alterations in [Ca2+]e (SRE maximal response DGKD-OE =14.13 fold change vs. WT=9.06 fold change, p=0.01; NFAT maximal response DGKD-OE=13.67 fold change vs WT=59.16 fold change, p=0.0001). Our results demonstrate that alterations in DGKD expression cause biased CaSR-signalling. This biased signalling may provide an explanation for the correlation of genotype at the DGKD-associated locus with urinary calcium excretion but not serum calcium concentration. Our findings suggest that biased CaSR-signalling may be a common cause of nephrolithiasis.

The role of biased calcium-sensing receptor signalling in urinary calcium excretion and kidney stone disease

Michelle Goldsworthy1,2, Asha Bayliss2, Anna Gluck2, Akira Wiberg3, Benjamin Turney1, DominicFurniss3, Rajesh Thakker2, Sarah Howles1,2 1Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.2Academic Endocrine Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UnitedKingdom.3Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Universityof Oxford, United Kingdom. Nephrolithiasis is a major health burden with a poorly understood pathogenesis. We conducteda genome-wide association study in British and Japanese populations identifying twentynephrolithiasis-associated loci. Mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) causedisorders of calcium homeostasis and five identified loci (DGKD, DGKH, WDR72, GPIC1 and BCR)were predicted to influence CaSR-signalling. In a validation population, we demonstrated that genotype at the DGKD-associated locuscorrelated with urinary calcium excretion but not serum calcium concentration. In vitro studiesdemonstrated that knockdown and overexpression of DGKD resulted in biased CaSR-signalling.Thus, treatment of CaSR-expressing HEK cells with DGKD-targeted siRNA (DGKD-KD), resulted indecreased MAPK responses to alterations in extracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]e, asassessed by SRE-reporter and ERK-phosphorylation (pERK) assays, when compared to cellstreated with scrambled siRNA (WT) but without alteration in intracellular calcium responses[Ca2+]i as assessed by NFAT-reporter and Fluo-4 calcium assays (SRE maximal response DGKD-KD=5.28 fold change vs. WT=7.20 p=0.0065, pERK maximal response DGKD-KD=24.77, vs. WT=39.46 fold change, p=0.0056). Conversely, DGKD overexpression (DGKD-OE) increased MAPKresponses but suppressed [Ca2+]i responses to alterations in [Ca2+]e (SRE maximal responseDGKD-OE =14.13 fold change vs. WT=9.06 fold change, p=0.01; NFAT maximal response DGKDOE=13.67 fold change vs WT=59.16 fold change, p=0.0001). Our results demonstrate that alterations in DGKD expression cause biased CaSR-signalling. Thisbiased signalling may provide an explanation for the correlation of genotype at the DGKDassociatedlocus with urinary calcium excretion but not serum calcium concentration. Ourfindings suggest that biased CaSR-signalling may be a common cause of nephrolithiasis.

Determinants and outcomes associated with urinary calcium excretion in chronic kidney disease

Context Abnormalities in calcium metabolism are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Diminished urinary calcium excretion may promote vascular calcification, and increased urinary calcium excretion may lead to nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis, conditions associated with CKD. Objective To study predictors of urinary calcium excretion and its association with adverse clinical outcomes in CKD. Design, Setting and Patients This study assessed 3,768 non-dialysis participants in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study from April 2003 to September 2008. Participants were followed up to October 2018. Exposure Clinically plausible predictors of urinary calcium excretion and 24-hour urinary calcium excretion at baseline. Main Outcome Measures Urinary calcium excretion; incident end stage kidney disease (ESKD), CKD progression (50% estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline or incident ESKD), all-cause mortality, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. Results eGFR was positive correlated with 24-hour urinary calcium excretion. The variables most strongly associated with 24-hour urinary calcium excretion were 24-hour urinary sodium (β=0.19 and 0.28 in males and females), serum parathyroid hormone (β=-0.22 and -0.20), loop diuretics (β=0.36 and 0.26), thiazide diuretics (β=-0.49 and -0.53), and self-identified black race (β=-0.23 and -0.27). Lower urinary calcium excretion was associated with greater risks of outcomes, but these associations were greatly attenuated or nullified after adjustment for baseline eGFR. Conclusion Urinary calcium excretion is markedly lower in individuals with CKD compared to general population. Determinants of urinary calcium excretion differed between sexes and levels of CKD. Significant associations between urinary calcium excretion and adverse clinical events were substantially confounded by eGFR.

The main ways of correcting idiopathic hypercalciuria in children

Introduction. Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) is one of the most common metabolic disorders in children and is one of the leading causes of calcium urolithiasis and osteoporosis. The strategic goal of treatment for IH is to reduce urinary calcium excretion. Materials and methods. The study included 93 IH children aged from 3 to 14 years with identified IH. At the first stage, IH children have been prescribed low sodium and high potassium diet with increased fluid intake for three months without additional drug therapy. For children with persistent IH at the second stage, the diet was supplemented daily with 1000-1500 mg of fish oil for children for 3 months. At the third stage of treatment, persistent IH patients were prescribed hydrochlorothiazide at a dose of 1 mg/kg for 3 months. After each stage of treatment, we analyzed IH’s manifestations in dynamics and monitored urinary calcium excretion by calcium/creatinine ratio (CCR). Results. Evaluation of clinical and laboratory manifestations of IH after the first stage of treatment showed the effectiveness of the diet in 59.1% of patients. Among 38 patients included in the second stage of therapy, the normalization of urinary calcium excretion was noted in 52.6% of cases. The third stage of therapy was performed in 18 patients (19% of the initial group of IH children patients). The normalization of CCR was achieved in 16 (88.9%) children. Conclusion. For the correction of IH in children, a step-by-step approach should be recommended, starting with recommendations on the drinking regimen and nutrition, then prescribing fish oil preparations and resorting to thiazide diuretics in the lack of an effect from the first stages of treatment.

Comparative Transcriptomic Profiling Revealed Distinctive Patterns in Differentially Expressed Genes Related to Clinicopathologic Features of Parathyroid Carcinoma and Adenoma

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare malignancy which remains as a clinical unmet need lacking effective therapeutic intervention. (1) In this study, we compared mutational profile of parathyroid carcinoma, adenoma, and normal parathyroid tissue using RNA-Seq based transcriptomics analysis and whole exome sequencing. A total of 40 parathyroid specimens [parathyroid carcinoma (n=8), adenoma (n=24), and normal tissue incidentally obtained from thyroidectomy for various reasons (n=8)] from 39 individuals (women n=34, 87%; mean age 51 year) were analyzed. Compared to adenoma and normal parathyroid groups, parathyroid carcinoma group had younger age (carcinoma 35 ± 12 vs. other 56 ± 16 year, p=0.001) and higher serum parathyroid hormone (PTH; 231 [145–474] vs. 114 [88–196] vs. 34 [29–41] pg/mL, p=0.001) prior to surgery. CDC73 mutation was found in 7 of 8 carcinoma specimens, which harbored germline mutation in 6 of them. Among top feature gene mutations for classifying adenoma and carcinoma, carcinoma-specific genes showed high specificity, whereas adenoma-related key features were largely overlapped with normal tissues. Transcriptional profiling revealed 546 carcinoma-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 135 adenoma-specific DEGs, and 323 common DEGs. Hierarchical clustering with 546 carcinoma-specific DEGs detected four clusters with distinctive clinicopathologic characteristics (cluster 1 [n=12]: 7 normal tissues and 5 adenomas; cluster 2 and 3 [n=22]: all adenomas except one normal tissue; cluster 4 [n=9]: all parathyroid carcinomas except one adenoma). Carcinoma-specific DEGs include upregulation of GRIN2A, LYPD1, and SOX2 and downregulation of ENTPPL, MYO3B, and PIK3C2G. Gene ontology enrichment revealed that these DEGs were mainly involved in the binding of cell adhesion molecule, actin, and Rho GTPase, and extracellular matrix structural constituent. Two adenoma clusters significantly differed in urinary calcium excretion level (403 [312–488] vs. 205 [150–327], p=0.037) without significant differences in median PTH (102 [86–138] vs. 125 [92–229] pg/mL) and calcium level (11.1 ± 1.0 vs. 11.0 ± 0.9 mg/dL; P>0.05 for all). In summary, parathyroid carcinoma had distinctive transcriptional profiles which might improve the early detection of parathyroid carcinoma. Parathyroid adenomas were clustered into two groups with regard to urinary calcium excretion level based on transcriptional profiles, which merits further investigation. Reference: (1) Pandya C et al., JCI Insight. 2017 Mar 23; 2(6): e92061. Sources of Research Support: This study was supported by Severance Hospital Research Fund for Clinical Excellence (SHRC C-2019-0032; C-2020-0035).

Profound Hypocalcemia Following Thyroidectomy for Graves’ Disease

Introduction: While transient parathyroid insufficiency is not an uncommon complication of thyroidectomy, severe and prolonged hypocalcemia attributed to a combination of post-surgical hypoparathyroidism, hungry bone syndrome (HBS) and hypovitaminosis D is unusual. Clinical Case: A 17-year-old female from a remote community in Australia with Graves’ disease, complicated by exophthalmos and atrial flutter, underwent total thyroidectomy due to challenges with medication adherence leading to persistent thyrotoxicosis. FT4 was >150 pmol/L (normal 10–20 pmol/L) almost two years after diagnosis. Pre-operatively, she received Lugol’s iodine, carbimazole and beta-blockade. The operation was uncomplicated and three parathyroid glands were preserved. Within six hours of thyroidectomy, she developed symptomatic hypocalcemia with corrected calcium 1.9 mmol/L (7.6 mg/dL) (normal 2.2–2.65 mmol/L). PTH level was 0.8 pmol/L (normal 1.4–9.0 pmol/L). Magnesium and phosphate levels were initially normal but hyperphosphatemia developed the following day. 25-OH vitamin D was low (29 nmol/L, normal 50–150 nmol/L) and was corrected with high dose cholecalciferol. Despite use of continuous intravenous calcium gluconate in addition to oral calcium carbonate, as well as both intravenous and oral calcitriol and magnesium, urinary calcium excretion remained undetectable. Teriparatide 20 mcg BD was commenced on post-operative day 14 with no demonstrable improvement in serum calcium. Less than 48 hours after cessation of parenteral calcium on day 18 post-operation, corrected calcium and ionised calcium declined to 1.47 mmol/L (5.9 mg/dL) and 0.46 mmol/L (normal 1.15–1.33 mmol/L) respectively, prompting recommencement of calcium infusion. Her remarkably high requirement for calcium replacement with negligible urinary calcium excretion for at least one month in spite of parenteral calcium infusion for a total of three weeks’ duration is highly suggestive of HBS which became evident due to post-surgical hypoparathyroidism. She had elevated ALP (618 U/L, normal 35–140 U/L) and increased bone resorption marker (N-telopeptide/creatinine 262 nmol BCE/mmol, normal <100 nmol BCE/mmol), with osteopenia at lumbar spine (Z-score -1.7) and femur (Z-score -1.3). Additionally, vitamin D deficiency is likely to have contributed to the severity of hypocalcemia. 60 days after surgery, she was still requiring calcium carbonate 2500 mg QID (4 g/day elemental calcium) and calcitriol 1 mcg TDS. Her phosphate level had normalised and ALP gradually declined to 241 U/L. Clinical Lesson: This case highlights the importance of attaining euthyroid status as early as possible pre-operatively to allow near-complete reversal of thyrotoxicosis-induced osteodystrophy, as indicated by normalisation of serum ALP, and ensuring vitamin D levels are replete prior to thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease.

MO113CALCULATED URINARY CALCIUM-OXALATE SATURATION (ßCAOX) IS NOT SPECIFICALLY ELEVATED IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY HYPEROXALURIA

Background and Aims In the primary hyperoxalurias (PH; types 1-3) recurrent urolithiasis (UL) and/or progressive nephrocalcinosis (NC) are the clinical hallmarks. Three different enzyme defects lead to endogenous oxalate overproduction and to extremely elevated urinary oxalate excretion (UOx). Thus, it seems logical that urine is supersaturated for calcium-oxalate (CaOx). It was, hence, speculated that urinary CaOx saturation (ßCaOx), calculated by computed programs, is significantly higher as compared to that of patients with idiopathic CaOx stones. We now aimed to evaluate and calculate urinary ßCaOx in PH patients according to type, as well as in non-PH patients with UL or NC. Method The computed equilibrium program EQUIL2 was used for the calculation of ßCaOx. For this, 24 h urine specimen of 70 patients with non-PH NC (46 male, 24 female, median age 6.06 (range 0.3-31.4 years)), of 149 idiopathic CaOx UL (90/59 m/f, age 8.5 (0.1-68.6)), of 51 PH 1 patients (31/21, age 12.33 (0.8-63.8)), of 5 PH 2 patients (3/2, age 5.41 (4.3-12.9)) and of 14 PH 3 patients (8/6, age 8.5 (2.9-29.3)) were analyzed for all necessary components. All patients were in stable kidney function (eGFR > 45 ml/min). Results Uox was higher in the PH patients as compared to the non-PH UL or NC patients (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the Uox in PH 1 vs PH 2 or PH 3 patients, although, a clear effect of B6 medication was visible in PH1 patients. Urinary calcium excretion was lower (not significant) in PH patients as compared to NC/UL. There was no difference in ßCaOx when PH were compared to non-PH patients and it mostly remained in the normal range. Conclusion Urine ßCaOx is similar in PH and non-PH stone formers. Therefore, calculation of ßCaOx using computed programs is not a reliable parameter to define the definitively extreme CaOx supersaturation of urine from PH patients. This miscalculation is related to a rather lowish urinary calcium excretion in PH as compared to other UL/NC patients. Therefore, we recommend not to use such programs to express the risk of recurrent stone disease or nephrocalcinosis in PH.

Recombinant human parathyroid hormone (1–84) is effective in CASR-associated hypoparathyroidism

Introduction Gain-of-function mutations in the CASR gene cause Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia Type 1 (ADH1), the most common genetic cause of isolated hypoparathyroidism. Subjects have increased calcium sensitivity in the renal tubule, leading to increased urinary calcium excretion, nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis when compared with other causes of hypoparathyroidism. The traditional approach to treatment includes activated vitamin D but this further increases urinary calcium excretion. Methods In this case series, we describe the use of recombinant human parathyroid hormone (rhPTH)1–84 to treat subjects with ADH1, with improved control of serum and urinary calcium levels. Results We describe two children and one adult with ADH1 due to heterozygous CASR mutations who were treated with rhPTH(1–84). Case 1 was a 9.4-year-old female whose 24-h urinary calcium decreased from 7.5 to 3.9 mg/kg at 1 year. Calcitriol and calcium supplementation were discontinued after titration of rhPTH(1–84). Case 2 was a 9.5-year-old male whose 24-h urinary calcium decreased from 11.7 to 1.7 mg/kg at 1 year, and calcitriol was also discontinued. Case 3 was a 24-year-old female whose treatment was switched from multi-dose teriparatide to daily rhPTH(1–84). All three subjects achieved or maintained target serum levels of calcium and normal or improved urinary calcium levels with daily rhPTH(1–84) monotherapy. Conclusions We have described three subjects with ADH1 who were treated effectively with rhPTH(1–84). In all cases, hypercalciuria improved by comparison to treatment with conventional therapy consisting of calcium supplementation and calcitriol.

An Important Risk Factor Affecting Hypercalciuria in Children: Vesicoureteral Reflux

Introduction A large number of genes and environmental factors, like dietary habits, play a role in the development of hypercalciuria in children. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of the presence and grade of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on hypercalciuria status in children. Materials and Methods Data for 165 patients who admitted to the Pediatric Urology Department were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were composed of following four different groups: (1) urinary stone patients, (2) VUR patients under follow-up, (3) corrected VUR patients, and (4) control. The demographic features, clinical data, and laboratory tests for the groups were compared. Results The mean age of the patients was 100.6 ± 54.69 months and the female/male ratio was 79:86. The mean urinary calcium/creatinine (UCa/Cr) excretion and the frequency of high UCa/Cr ratios in the corrected VUR group were similar to those in the control group (p = 0.375 and 0.965, respectively). In contrast, the mean UCa/Cr excretion and frequency of high UCa/Cr ratios in the urinary stone and follow-up VUR groups were significantly higher than those in the corrected VUR group (p < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.003, and 0.029, respectively). The mean UCa/Cr excretion and frequency of high UCa/Cr ratios in the follow-up VUR group were similar to those in the urinary stone group (p = 0.323 and 0.425, respectively). In the follow-up VUR group, although reflux laterality had no effect on the UCa/Cr ratios (p = 0.180 and 0.108, respectively), the mean and frequency of high UCa/Cr ratios were higher in high-grade reflux cases (p < 0.001 and p = 0.042, respectively). Conclusion Both the mean UCa/Cr ratio and the rate of hypercalciuria in the corrected reflux group were significantly lower than the corresponding values in the follow-up VUR and urinary stone groups. Further, the follow-up VUR patients had similar urinary calcium excretion levels as the stone patients. VUR treatment is associated with a decrease in urinary calcium excretion to the normal population level. A positive correlation between reflux degree and calcium excretion was observed.