APOL1 gene variants, immune signals, and early kidney injury
ApolipoproteinL1 Genotypes and Biomarkers of Immune Activation and Tubular Injury
This project looks at whether APOL1 gene differences and blood/urine markers of inflammation and tubular injury explain worsening kidney disease in people with CKD in Nigeria and Ghana.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176861 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses blood and 24-hour urine samples already collected from 738 people with chronic kidney disease in Nigeria and Ghana. Researchers will test those samples for APOL1 gene variants and for markers of immune activation (sTNFR1, TNFα, suPAR) and tubular injury (KIM-1). They will compare these markers to changes in kidney function over time to see if people with high-risk APOL1 show early tubular damage before their eGFR declines. Because the work uses stored samples and existing follow-up data, most participants will not need new clinic visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults of African ancestry with chronic kidney disease—especially those in Nigeria or Ghana—would be the ideal group to which these findings apply.
Not a fit: People without CKD, those of non-African ancestry, or individuals already on dialysis or with a kidney transplant are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify patients of African ancestry who are at higher risk of rapid CKD progression and point to blood or urine tests that detect early kidney injury.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have linked APOL1 and biomarkers like suPAR and KIM-1 to CKD progression but findings have been inconsistent, and this analysis is relatively novel in sub-Saharan African populations.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ilori, Titilayo Omolara — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ilori, Titilayo Omolara
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.