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GENETIC DISEASE

Alport Syndrome is a genetic disease, meaning it is passed on through genes in families. Often, many generations in a family are affected. Frequently, the disease does go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Accurate diagnosis is important to allow for intervention with medications to slow progression of the disease. At this time, gene therapy and/or gene editing is not available.

There are multiple genetic types of Alport Syndrome.

The three most commonly studied include:

  • XLAS (X-linked Alport syndrome)
  • ARAS (autosomal recessive Alport syndrome)
  • ADAS (autosomal dominant Alport syndrome)

ASF Medical Advisory Committee member, Dr. Clifford Kashtan, outlines the varying types of Alport syndrome in this summary article. Additionally, Dr. Kashtan summarizes specific gene mutations at this link.

Learn about genetics, genetic testing, pregnancy considerations, and more in our Family Planning Guide.

Genetic Testing and Counseling

Patients and families are encouraged to learn more about genetic testing and counseling by reading our Family Planning Guide.

Click below for ongoing genetic testing and counseling opportunities:

Natera’s Renasight

Invitae’s Expanded Renal Disease Panel

X-LINKED ALPORT SYNDROME (XLAS)

XLAS, or X-linked Alport syndrome, is the most commonly documented form.

X-linked Alport syndrome is caused by mutations in the COL4A5 gene, which resides on the X chromosome. X-linked disorders cause more severe symptoms in affected males than in affected females because males have only one X chromosome.

Males with XLAS are severely affected and always develop kidney failure sometime in their lives, because they do not have a normal copy of the gene to buffer the effect of the mutant gene. Females, who have two X chromosomes, have two copies of the COL4A5 gene. In girls with XLAS, one copy of the gene carries a mutation, but the other copy is normal. The normal copy of the gene counters the effect of the mutation, so that girls with XLAS usually have milder symptoms than boys. However, girls with X-linked Alport syndrome can also develop kidney failure and should not be considered as only carriers of XLAS.

A male with XLAS will pass the affected X chromosome gene to all of his daughters and they will have XLAS. A male cannot pass an X-linked gene to his sons because the Y chromosome (not the X chromosome) is always passed to male offspring. A female with XLAS has a 50% chance with each pregnancy of having an affected child.

A small percentage of X-linked Alport syndrome patients experience leiomyomas, benign (not cancerous) smooth muscle tumors that can be found in the esophagus, lungs, uterus, and other female reproductive organs. The acronym ASDL is commonly used to refer to Alport syndrome with diffuse leiomyomatosis. To be connected with other patients and families affected by ASDL, contact ASF staff.

Click each inheritance pattern graphic below to view the full-sized image.

80-85% of Cases

Are XLAS

Alport syndrome

10-15%

Of XLAS mutations occur randomly (spontaneously)

50% Chance

Of XLAS female

having an affected child

Click the inheritance pattern graphic below to view the full-sized image.

Autosomal Recessive Alport Syndrome (ARAS)

Autosomal recessive disorders result when both copies of a gene are defective. Typically, each parent of a child with a recessive condition passes a mutant gene to the affected child.

The genes COL4A3 and COL4A4 are located on chromosome 2. Each person has two copies of this chromosome, and two copies of both the COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes. The parents only have one mutation in one of the chromosomes and so they can have no symptoms or have some hematuria (blood in the urine). However, they will not have progression of the disease.

When each parent carries a mutation in COL4A3 or COL4A4, there is a 25% chance with every pregnancy that the child will have ARAS. Unlike X-linked Alport syndrome, the autosomal recessive type affects females just as severely as males.

Autosomal Dominant Alport Syndrome (ADAS)

ADAS was long believed to account for roughly 5% of cases. Next Generation Sequencing has resulted in estimates ranging from approximately 4-6 times that percentage.

These people have one mutant copy of the COL4A3 or COL4A4 gene. Mutation in one copy of COL4A3 or COL4A4 can cause progressive kidney disease and hearing loss. People with ADAS resemble people with XLAS, with some differences: kidney failure occurs relatively late in life (after age 40), changes in the eyes are very unusual and there is no difference in severity of disease in males and females. People with ADAS usually have a family history that is positive for progressive kidney disease and hearing loss. Mutation in one copy of COL4A3 or COL4A4 can also cause thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN), which differs from ADAS in that progressive kidney disease and hearing loss are very unusual. People with TBMN usually have a family history that is negative for progressive kidney disease and hearing loss. Researchers are still trying to understand why some people with these mutations have ADAS and others have TBMN.

Each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation.

Click each inheritance pattern graphic below to view the full-sized image.

Genetic Testing

Clinicians in many parts of the world now have access to genetic testing for diagnosis of Alport syndrome through commercial laboratories or laboratories associated with medical institutions. Such testing offers high rates of diagnostic accuracy, particularly for X-linked Alport syndrome, although testing is available for autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant forms of the disease, too. Insurance coverage for genetic testing varies widely so patients are encouraged to seek the help of certified genetic counselors to determine their eligibility. You can learn more about genetic test results by watching our Q&A with Dr. James Simon, Dr. Anjay Rastogi, and renal geneticist, Mary-Beth Roberts.

Why have genetic testing?

In most cases, genetic testing can confirm a diagnosis of Alport syndrome. Genetic testing is the only way to diagnose a female with no symptoms yet a family history of X-Linked Alport syndrome. It may also be useful when results of a skin, saliva or kidney biopsy are not conclusive. Genetic testing is also used to clarify inheritance patterns of the disease. This is important for not only assessing the current and future health of others in the family, but can clarify potential living kidney donors within an immediate family, if the need arises. In the video below, Mary-Beth Roberts, MS, CGC, explains what families can learn from genetic test results.

Genetic Counseling for Patients

Couples are strongly urged to meet with a licensed genetic counselor to discuss their individual situation and options in greater detail. The National Society of Genetic Counselors has a  “Find a Genetic Counselor” tool on their website that allows people to search for local providers. It shows each genetic counselor’s specialty, which could be useful as some people have never met with a genetic counselor, while others may have met with a clinical/pediatric genetic counselor but now wish to discuss or pursue one of the above options and therefore should meet with a prenatal genetic counselor.

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