Pierson syndrome and X-linked Alport syndrome result from pathogenic variants in LAMB2 and COL4A5, respectively, and both affect basement membranes in the kidney and the eye. This study describes the ocular features in an individual with a homozygous LAMB2 pathogenic variant and compares the reported abnormalities in Pierson syndrome with those in Alport syndrome.
A 28-year-old man who developed kidney failure 10 years previously and subsequently had an atrial septal defect repair was suspected of having genetic kidney disease on the basis of his likely diagnosis of Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), his young age at presentation, and his cardiac anomaly. He then underwent Whole Exome Sequencing and a formal ophthalmological examination.
The patient was found to have a homozygous Likely Pathogenic missense variant (p.(Arg1719Cys)) in LAMB2 consistent with the diagnosis of Pierson syndrome. He had normal visual acuity, normal optic globe and cornea size, and normal lens appearance on direct examination. Upon further testing, his cornea demonstrated central thinning. There was also increased corneal endothelial pleomorphism, a reduced foveal reflex, and a blunted foveal curvature, similar to the features seen in X-linked Alport syndrome.
Our patient had a later onset form of Pierson syndrome or \"FSGS type 5, with or without ocular abnormalities,\" consistent with his \"milder\" LAMB2 missense variant. The resemblance of the ocular features in Pierson syndrome and X-linked Alport syndrome suggests that mutations in LAMB2 and COL4A5 have similar effects on basement membranes and the pathogenesis of ocular damage.

BACKGROUND: Pierson syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that causes congenital nephrotic syndrome, neurodevelopmental abnormalities, and several ocular signs. The Pierson syndrome is caused by a mutation of the LAMB2 gene, that encodes laminin beta 2, which is expressed in the glomerular basement membrane, in neuromuscular junctions, and within ocular structures. First described by Pierson et al., the ocular signs of Pierson syndrome include microcoria, which is most characteristic sign, as well as iris abnormalities, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.
METHODS: Herein, we report the case of a young female who, at 16 months, was diagnosed with congenital nephrotic syndrome, subsequently underwent a kidney transplant at age 4,did cataract surgery with IOL implantation in both eyes at age of 2 years and presented with ocular signs including high myopia, band keratopathy, t, nystagmus, retina, and optic nerve atrophy, she did not show nor did the family report any neurodevelopmental abnormalities. her genetic studies this missense variant c.970T< C p. (Cys324Arg) of LAMB2, later she developed spontaneous hyphema along with vitreous haemorrhage and increased intra ocular pressure in her left eye, she underwent cyclophotocouagulation to treat her high IOP.
CONCLUSIONS: LAMB 2 mutations can be associated with multiple ocular signs that varies from mild to severe form, we are her to report our case who did not present with the typical ocular sign of microcoria for PS, did not have any neurodevelopmental  abnormality and presented with hyphaemia 2ndry to iris neovascularisation with vitreous haemorrhage with neovascular glaucoma.

Biallelic pathogenic variants in the laminin β2 (LAMB2) gene, which encodes laminin β2, are associated with Pierson syndrome characterized by a congenital nephrotic syndrome that rapidly progresses to end-stage renal disease, distinct ocular maldevelopment with bilateral microcoria, and neurodevelopmental deficits. However, the phenotypic spectrum of LAMB2-associated disorder is broader than expected, and cases with milder phenotypes such as isolated congenital or infantile nephrotic syndrome have also been reported. We report a patient with LAMB2-associated renal disorder showing an extremely mild phenotype. A 5-year-old girl presented with asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria detected by urinalysis screening. She had been previously healthy without any additional renal symptoms. The serum albumin and creatinine levels were normal. Renal biopsy revealed minor glomerular abnormalities with occasional focal mesangial proliferation. Electron microscopy showed no structural changes in the glomerular basement membrane. Targeted sequencing of podocyte-related genes using next-generation sequencing was performed. As a result, previously reported biallelic pathogenic variants of the truncating variant (c.5073_5076dupCCAG) and a splice site variant (c.3797 + 5G > A) in the LAMB2 gene were detected, and the patient was diagnosed with LAMB2-associated renal disorder. Interestingly, a previously reported case with this splicing variant also showed an atypically mild phenotype. We suggest that clinicians should consider LAMB2-associated nephritis as an important differential diagnosis in children with asymptomatic proteinuria and microscopic hematuria if there is no structural change in the glomerular basement membrane. A comprehensive gene-screening system using next-generation sequencing is useful for diagnosing these atypical cases with isolated urine abnormalities.

Pierson syndrome (PS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by congenital nephrotic syndrome and microcoria. Advances in renal replacement therapies have extended the lifespan of patients, whereas the full clinical spectrum of PS in infancy and beyond remains elusive.
We present the case of a 12-month-old boy with PS, manifesting as the bilateral microcoria and congenital nephrotic syndrome. He was born without asphyxia, and was neurologically intact from birth through the neonatal period. Generalized muscle weakness and hypotonia were recognized from 3 months of age. The infant showed recurrent vomiting at age 5 months of age, and was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux and intestinal malrotation. Despite the successful surgical treatment, vomiting persisted and led to severely impaired growth. Tulobuterol treatment was effective in reducing the frequency of vomiting. Targeted sequencing confirmed that he had a compound heterozygous mutation in LAMB2 (NM_002292.3: p.Arg550X and p.Glu1507X). A search of the relevant literature identified 19 patients with severe neuro-muscular phenotypes. Among these, only 8 survived the first 12 months of life, and one had feeding difficulty with similar gastrointestinal problems.
This report demonstrated that severe neurological deficits and gastrointestinal dysfunction may emerge in PS patients after the first few months of life.

BACKGROUND: LAMB2 mutations cause Pierson syndrome (OMIM 609049), an autosomal recessive genetic disease typically characterized by congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) and early onset renal failure, as well as bilateral microcoria. NPHP1 mutations cause familial juvenile nephronophthisis type 1 (NPHP1, OMIM 256100), another autosomal recessive renal disease that usually occurs years after birth. Both Pierson syndrome and nephronophthisis cause end-stage renal disease and rare kidney diseases in children. We report an extremely rare case of concurrent mutations of LAMB2 and NPHP1 in a Chinese girl with isolated CNS and the association of the phenotype with novel non-truncating mutations of LAMB2.
METHODS: A-34-day-old girl presented with CNS but no eye abnormalities, and mild hyperechogenicity of kidneys. A novel c.1176_1178delTCT mutation caused deletion of a glycine in exon 9 of LAMB2, and another mutation c.4923 + 2 T > G led to a splicing error. In addition, compound heterozygous mutations of NPHP1 were identified in this child using next generation sequencing, and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.
CONCLUSIONS: Mutations of the LAMB2 and NPHP1 are present in infants with isolated CNS. Next generation sequencing enabled high-throughput screening for mutant genes promptly, with clinically significant outcomes. In addition, our results expand the phenotype spectrum of LAMB2 mutations as the only renal manifestation.