PLCE1 and Diffuse mesangial sclerosis: However, asymptomatic family members of affected children bearing the same homozygous mutation of PLCE1 have also been reported [64, 65], indicating mutation of the PLCE1 gene is not sufficient to cause diffuse mesangial sclerosis and, further, other modifier genes or environmental factors may play a role in the variability of renal phenotypes observed in individuals bearing PLCE1 mutations.