Cystinosis is a genetic medical condition that results in excessive deposition of cystine crystals within lysosomes, leading to extensive organ dysfunction in the human body.
Presentation
Cystinosis can target multiple organs in the body and, thus, has a wide symptom presentation. Aside from kidney dysfunction, the disease can also present with thyroid dysfunction in the form of hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, swallowing difficulties and muscle wasting.
Infantile nephropathic cystinosis usually presents in children who otherwise are normal at birth. By the age of 10 months, patients start displaying symptoms particular to the disease such as growth stunting, frequent urination, irritability and increased thirst. Unlike healthy children, affected children are unable to walk or bear significant weight by 12 months of age. Infantile nephropathic cystinosis is considered the most severe form of the disease.
A characteristic signature of cystinosis is an associated Fanconi syndrome, defined by an inability to absorb many minerals and elements in the proximal renal tubules. The nutrients are subsequently excreted in the urine and, if not replaced, patients can suffer from severe electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities. Children generally have a poor appetite for certain foods, demand salt and display stunted growth. Without treatment, children suffering from this form of the disease can undergo kidney failure before the age of 10.
Other forms of cystinosis may first present in adolescence or even adulthood. Juvenile or adolescent cystinosis is characterized by renal and ocular symptoms. Adult cystinosis, on the other hand, is a benign condition in which the cornea of the eye is almost exclusively the site of cystine deposition.
Workup
The diagnosis of cystinosis is established after broad investigations that include the collection of pertinent history, performance of a physical exam and a range of testing modalities that help in elucidating the characteristic presenting symptoms as well as in conclusively diagnosing the disease. It is critical to diagnose the disease as early as possible, because prompt treatment can significantly improve prognosis and outcomes.
The presence of renal Fanconi Syndrome can be evaluated with urine analysis that identifies increased excretion of important minerals and compounds such electrolytes, water, carnitine and various amino acids [9]. Cystine crystals in the cornea of the eyes can be visualized with a slit lamp exam under high magnification. The slit lamp test may be sufficient for diagnosis when the test is done by an ophthalmologist.
Cystinosis can be also confirmed by assessing the levels of cystine in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, a particular type of white blood cells. Genetic testing may also help in identifying the responsible CTNS mutations for the disease. Such testing is usually provided by commercial laboratories.
Parents with known family history of the condition have the option of prenatal diagnosis. This can be performed through either sampling the fetal cells from the amniotic fluid or the chorionic villi. The latter are found on the placenta and may display high levels of cystine crystals that are characteristic of the disease.
Treatment
Treatment is targeted at the wide range of symptoms and clinical manifestations associated with the disease. A team of physicians and healthcare professionals that includes pediatricians, ophthalmologists, nephrologists, gastroenterologists and psychologists who may be necessary for the adequate treatment and management of the patient.
Cysteamine bitartrate is one of the most important medications that were developed for the treatment of cystinosis. It was first approved in 1994 by the Food and Drug Administrations and, later in 2013, an extended form of the drug was also permitted on the market. It acts by depleting the level of cystine in the cells, thereby decreasing the rate of crystal formation. The end result is a significant reduction in growth stunting and kidney dysfunction. Prompt and intense therapy with cysteamine can delay the need for a renal transplant by more than 20 years compared to patients who did not receive any treatment. Furthermore, life-long treatment may also prevent complications that involve other organs in different stages of the disease. An eye drop solution of cysteamine was specifically designed to target crystal formation in the cornea because the oral ingested form of the drug is ineffective for ocular manifestations. The eye drop solution is the only FDA approved method of treatment for ocular cystinosis [10].
On the other hand, fluid intake and electrolyte replacements are recommended in the cases of Fanconi syndrome. Supplementation therapy with magnesium, potassium, sodium citrate and bicarbonate may also be necessary. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can additionally be effective in delaying the onset and progression of kidney failure. Another medication that can be employed for the management of Fanconi syndrome is indomethacin. It is an anti-inflammatory drug that decreases the excretion of water and various electrolytes and may assist in limiting growth failure. It is worth mentioning, however, that individuals taking indomethacin require frequent monitoring of their kidney function. Other treatment options targeted at the symptomatic manifestations of the disease include vitamin D and phosphates for the prevention of rickets, carnitine to increase muscle strength, L-thyroxine for hypothyroidism, growth hormone therapy for growth abnormalities, insulin for diabetes mellitus and testosterone for boys suffering from hypogonadism. The ocular manifestations of the diseases can be prevented by wearing sunglasses and avoiding intense sunlight. Extreme cases that are associated with frequent corneal erosions, pain and large band keratopathies may require corneal transplantation. A subset of patients may also suffer from dysphagia, malnutrition and frequent aspiration. These patients are usually treated with an implantation of a gastrostomy tube. This procedure is performed through the insertion of a thin tube in the stomach, where nutritious materials and medications are directly deposited.
Kidney transplant is usually recommended at some stage of the disease, even when patients are treated early and adequately. It can sometimes be preceded with dialysis, when kidney function sufficiently deteriorates. Renal transplants can completely resolve Fanconi syndrome and usually result in a good success rate in patients with cystinosis. Nonetheless, it does not affect the deposition of cystine crystals in other organs and systems.
Prognosis
Prognosis of cystinosis has improved dramatically in the last four decades due to significant advances in treatment options. Before the advance of cysteamine and renal transplantation, patients usually suffered from progressive renal failure and passed away before the age of 10. Nowadays, patients suffering from the disease can expect to live to their 50s. This is especially because of the ability of cysteamine to slow renal failure. Studies on renal transplantation also showed that, in a large European sample, 5 year survival increased from 86.1% to 100% in children diagnosed with infantile nephropathic cystinosis who had received a kidney transplant [8].
Etiology
Cystinosis is caused by genetic mutations that target the CTNS gene. The gene normally codes for cystinosin, a transporter protein. Mutations within this gene are responsible for all types of cystinosis. Cystinosin acts to transport cystine to the outside of the lysosomes, the cellular compartments that function to rid the cells of harmful substances. When the protein is defected, cystine can build within the lysosomes and form crystals. This can ultimately result in damage to the eyes, kidneys and other organs.
Cystinosis is transmitted in an autosomal recessive fashion and was the first genetic disorder to be identified among diseases that affect lysosomal transport [5]. The type of mutations present can affect the phenotypic expression of the disease. Mutations in the G197R and IVS10-3C-G CTS genes can be mild or severe, with the latter being associated with ocular non-nephropathic cystinosis. Mild mutations do not completely inhibit the production of CTS mRNA, permitting the transport of lysosomal cystine and decreasing the levels of cystine within the cell [6].
Epidemiology
Infantile nephropathic cystinosis has an incidence of 1 case in 100,000 to 200,000 live births in North America [7], with estimations indicating that there are around 400 patients affected with cystinosis in the United States. Each year, 15 new cases are diagnosed in the United States alone.
Internationally, cystinosis has a wider prevalence in specific locations. In Brittany, for example, 1 of every 25,909 individuals suffers from the disease. Nonetheless, incidence in France in total is far less frequent with 1 case in every 326,440 individuals.
Pathophysiology
Cysteine is processed in the lysosome, where amino acids produced through the decomposition of ingested proteins are hydrolyzed in an acidic environment. Normally, cysteine undergoes an oxidization reaction and is converted to cystine and is then transported into the cytoplasm where it is re-transformed into cysteine with the help of reducing agents such as glutathione. Cytoplasmic cysteine can then be again inserted into a larger protein compound or it can undergo degradation and excretion outside the cell.
In cystinosis, cystinosin, the protein channel that is responsible for transporting cystine from the lysosome into the cytoplasm, is defective because of mutations that target the gene responsible for its expression. The end result is further accumulation of cystine within the lysosome, leading to the formation of various crystals that can be rectangular, birefringent or hexagonal.
Infantile nephropathic cystinosis is characterized by specific cystine crystal formation targeting kidney function, particularly in proximal tubular cells. Patients usually present between 6 and 12 months with a clinical phenotype corresponding to the Fanconi syndrome. This syndrome is known for salt and electrolyte wasting due to deficient absorption in the proximal tubule. The most commonly involved elements and compounds include magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphate, bicarbonate and others. The resulting electrolyte imbalance and metabolic acidosis manifests clinically with growth abnormalities and is the most common form of Fanconi syndrome.
Prevention
There are no current preventive measures for cystinosis.
Summary
Cystinosis is an inherited medical condition that results in an abnormal deposition of cystine in the various tissues and organs of the human body [1]. It is transmitted in an autosomal recessive fashion and results from mutations targeting the CTNS gene. This gene expresses a protein called cystinosin, that acts to transport cystine from the lysosome to the cytoplasm within the cell. A deficient cystine transporting channel leads to the abnormal formation of cystine crystals that can significantly damage cellular function. Cystinosis has a wide range of presenting symptoms, but is mostly characterized by kidney, ocular and growth abnormalities [2] [3]. Kidney dysfunction manifests with the Fanconi syndrome and can eventually lead to severe kidney failure and death if not treated. Ocular symptoms result from the deposition of cystine crystals within the cornea [4]. Treatment consists of medications that help deplete cells from cystine, kidney transplantation and various treatment options targeted specifically at symptomatic manifestations. For example, L-thyroxine is used for hypothyroidism, vitamin D and phosphate for rickets and insulin for insulin-dependent diabetes. Prognosis has markedly improved in the last four decades. With prompt and adequate treatment with cystine depleting drugs as well as kidney transplants, patients can expect to live up to their fifth decade of life.
Patient Information
Cystinosis is an inherited medical condition that results from the deposition of a particular organic compound called cystine. Excessive cystine can lead to the formation of crystals that ultimately disrupt the functioning of the cells and various organs. Cystinosis is transmitted in an autosomal recessive fashion. Normally, each individual has two copies of every gene, with each gene transmitted from one parent. A recessive genetic condition necessitates that mutations are present in both genes.
Cystinosis has various subtypes, although the most common and most severe subtype may present very early in childhood, by 10 months of age. Patients usually suffer from growth and ocular dysfunction as well as deterioration of the function of their kidneys. Variants that may present in adolescence or in early adulthood are much more benign and less likely to involve severe kidney dysfunction.
Treatment with medications such as cysteamine bitrate helps the body get rid of the excess cystine. Kidney transplantation may also be necessary to fully recover kidney function. Prognosis has significantly improved in the last four decades, and patients can now expect to live till their fifth decade.
References
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- Bois E, Feingold J, Frenay P, Briard ML. Infantile cystinosis in France: genetics, incidence, geographic distribution. J Med Genet 1976; 13:434.
- Manz F, Gretz N. Cystinosis in the Federal Republic of Germany. Coordination and analysis of the data. J Inherit Metab Dis 1985; 8:2.
- Levy M, Feingold J. Estimating prevalence in single-gene kidney diseases progressing to renal failure. Kidney Int 2000; 58:925.
- Gahl WA, Thoene JG, Schneider JA. Cystinosis. N Engl J Med. 2002 Jul 11;347(2):111-21.
- Anikster Y, Lucero C, Guo J, et al. Ocular nonnephropathic cystinosis: clinical, biochemical, and molecular correlations. Pediatr Res. 2000 Jan;47(1):17-23.
- Nesterova G, Gahl W. Nephropathic cystinosis: late complications of a multisystemic disease. Pediatr Nephrol. 2008 Jun; 23(6):863-78.
- Van Stralen KJ, Emma F, Jager KJ, et al. Improvement in the renal prognosis in nephropathic cystinosis.Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011 Oct; 6(10):2485-91.
- Bradarić N, Punda-Polić V. Cutaneous anthrax due to penicillin-resistant Bacillus anthracis transmitted by an insect bite. Lancet. 1992 Aug 1;340(8814):306-7.
- Gahl WA, Reed GF, Thoene JG, et al. Cysteamine therapy for children with nephropathic cystinosis. N Engl J Med. 1987 Apr 16;316(16):971-7.