Steroid-Resistant Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis with Alport-like Glomerular Basement Membrane Lesions Due to a MYO1E Mutation: A Pediatric Case Report

TL;DR

A 4-year-old boy with steroid-resistant kidney disease was found to have a rare genetic mutation in MYO1E, causing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with Alport-like basement membrane changes.

Contribution

This case expands the clinicopathologic understanding of MYO1E-associated nephropathy and clarifies that Alport-like basement membrane changes can signal podocyte cytoskeletal defects.

Findings

Compound-heterozygous MYO1E variants were identified in a child with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Electron microscopy revealed Alport-like glomerular basement membrane changes without immune-complex deposits.

The patient's renal function remained stable with supportive therapy despite persistent sub-nephrotic proteinuria.

Abstract

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in childhood frequently reflects monogenic podocytopathies in which immunosuppression is ineffective. Biallelic variants in MYO1E, encoding the class I myosin Myo1E, cause a distinctive form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) often accompanied by “Alport-like” multilamination of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Early recognition has therapeutic and prognostic implications. A previously healthy 4-year-old boy presented with generalized edema and nephrotic-range proteinuria. Glucocorticoids induced no remission; sequential calcineurin inhibition (cyclosporine, then tacrolimus) and a single dose of ofatumumab yielded only transient, partial reductions in proteinuria. A first biopsy elsewhere showed FSGS with nonspecific IgM/C3 trapping; electron microscopy (EM) was not performed. At age 10, repeat biopsy with EM revealed ~30% segmental foot-process effacement, focal GBM thickening (to 1740 nm), irregular lamina densa multilamination, and lamellar duplications without immune-complex deposits—features highly suggestive of hereditary GBM disease. Targeted sequencing identified compound-heterozygous MYO1E variants segregating in trans: a canonical splice-donor change (c.2785+1G>A) and a frameshift (c.3094_3097del; p.Thr1032Profs*73). Each parent was an unaffected heterozygous carrier; the sibling was negative. Supportive therapy with ramipril was continued. At last follow-up (January 2025), renal function was normal (serum creatinine 0.5 mg/dL; creatinine clearance 122 mL/min) with stable sub-nephrotic proteinuria (0.52 g/day; 16 mg/m2 per hour) and normotension. This case broadens clinicopathologic recognition of MYO1E-associated nephropathy and highlights the teaching point that Alport-like GBM changes are not pathognomonic for type IV collagen disorders but may signal defects in podocyte cytoskeletal anchoring.

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