Researchers from the United States, Italy, and China have joined together to unravel the mysteries of IgA nephropathy, a disease that is the leading cause of kidney failure in Asia and Southern Europe. Scientists studying a group of IgA nephropathy patients of Chinese and European heritage uncovered five regions of the human genome associated with … Continue reading Researchers Find Genetic Clues to IgA Nephropathy
Gene Impacts Donor Kidney Survival, Could Increase CKD Risk
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have discovered that variations in a gene called APOL1 explain why transplanted kidneys from some African American donors don’t last as long as others. The study showed that 2 copies of the recessive gene hindered kidney survival. The genetic anomaly, affecting 10 to 12 percent of African Americans, … Continue reading Gene Impacts Donor Kidney Survival, Could Increase CKD Risk
Kidney Research Highlights from American Urological Assoc. Meeting
Some interesting kidney-related research stories came out of last week’s American Urological Association Meeting in Washington, D.C. Researchers have found that what’s good for the heart is also good for preventing kidney stones. And they believe that kidney stones may be an indicator of possible heart disease. – What Protects the Heart May Also Protect … Continue reading Kidney Research Highlights from American Urological Assoc. Meeting
Kidney Stem Cell Breakthrough Provides Tool for Further Research
Australian researchers have discovered how to turn specialized human kidney cells back into generalized cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells. This type of cell reprogramming is a useful tool for studying genetic kidney diseases. The scientists hope to generate iPS cells from patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease and Alport syndrome; the … Continue reading Kidney Stem Cell Breakthrough Provides Tool for Further Research
New Understanding of Kidney Gene Changes in Diabetic Nephropathy
Researchers at the University of Louisville have used a mouse model to show how human kidney genes change as diabetic nephropathy progresses. By studying gene expression, they discovered that inflammatory genes underwent the most changes. Paul Epstein, Ph.D., acting director of the Kosair Children’s Hospital Research Institute said, “In future studies, we can use this … Continue reading New Understanding of Kidney Gene Changes in Diabetic Nephropathy
Cell Therapy May Eliminate Need for Transplant Drugs
Scientists from the University of Oxford, University College London, and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have discovered a way to manipulate and grow regulatory T cells that will stop organ rejection in mice. The technique involves extracting T cells from the subject as well as cells from the donor organ and culturing them in a … Continue reading Cell Therapy May Eliminate Need for Transplant Drugs