[Abnormalities of hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1beta: biological mechanisms, phenotypes, and clinical consequences]

Abstract

The hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta encoded by the TCF2 gene plays a role in the specific regulation of gene expression in various tissues such as liver, kidney, intestine, and pancreatic islets and is involved in the embryonic development of these organs. TCF2 mutations are known to be responsible for maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 5, associated with renal manifestations. Several studies have shown that TCF2 mutations are involved in restricted renal phenotypes. In a recent study, TCF2 anomalies were detected in one third of patients with renal anomalies such as renal cysts, hyperechogenicity, hypoplasia, or single kidneys. Most patients have a complete deletion of the TCF2 gene. With de novo TCF2 anomalies, deletions were the most frequent anomaly. TCF2 anomalies were significantly associated with bilateral renal anomalies and bilateral cortical cysts. However, no genotype-phenotype correlation could be detected. The prenatal phenotype of TCF2 anomalies is mainly bilateral hyperechogenic kidneys. Abnormal renal function, detected in about one third of patients, was independent of the TCF2 genotype. The best parameter to predict renal outcome remains sonographic evaluation. However, progression of the TCF2 phenotype is common. In conclusion, TCF2 molecular anomalies are involved in restricted renal phenotype in childhood without alteration of glucose metabolism. Adequate metabolic follow-up of pediatric patients with a restricted renal phenotype has not yet been defined and consideration of prenatal diagnosis remains extremely difficult given the extremely large phenotypic variability within the same family.