Genetic drivers of IgA (Berger's) kidney disease
Official title: Genetics of IgA nephropathy by integrative network-based association studies
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11121895 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for gene changes that make people more likely to get IgA (Berger's) kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 17, 2015 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $652,967 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK105124-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121895 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with IgA nephropathy (Berger's) or IgA vasculitis who are willing to provide a blood sample and medical records are the typical candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without IgA-related kidney disease or those seeking immediate changes in their medical care are unlikely to get direct benefit from this genetics-focused work.
What this research studies
Researchers are analyzing genetic and blood data from thousands of people with IgA nephropathy, related IgA vasculitis, and healthy controls. They combine large-scale genome-wide scans, measurements of serum IgA and galactose-deficient IgA1, and network-based methods to find which genes are most likely to cause disease. The team uses statistical approaches such as Mendelian randomization and integrative network analyses to prioritize causal genes and biological pathways. Findings may point to biomarkers and existing or new drug targets that could help people with Berger's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal genes and pathways that lead to better risk tests and new targeted treatments for Berger's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Large prior GWAS have already found many risk loci and links to IgA levels, so this work builds on established findings while applying newer network methods.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiryluk, Krzysztof — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kiryluk, Krzysztof
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how IgA1 immune complexes cause kidney disease in Berger’s disease
This grant studies the specific features of abnormal IgA1 immune complexes that drive kidney damage in IgA nephropathy to pave the way for better diagnosis and treatment.
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Genetics of IgA nephropathy through network-based genetic links
A study to understand why some people develop IgA nephropathy by looking at how our genes and immune system networks contribute to the disease.
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B cells that make abnormal IgA1 in IgA kidney disease
Researchers are identifying a group of B cells that produce a harmful form of IgA1 in people with IgA nephropathy to help guide future treatments.
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A new way to identify IgA nephropathy using specific markers
This project aims to create better blood tests for IgA nephropathy, a kidney disease, by looking for specific immune markers.
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Identifying specific B cells linked to a kidney disease called IgA nephropathy
This study is looking at a special type of immune cell that makes a form of IgA linked to IgA nephropathy, to better understand how it contributes to kidney problems, with the hope of finding new treatments for people with this condition.
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Investigating how EBV infection affects racial differences in IgA nephropathy
This study is looking at how the Epstein-Barr virus might be linked to IgA nephropathy, a kidney disease, and it wants to understand why this condition affects some racial groups more than others, so if you're a patient, you might be asked to share a blood sample and some health details to help with this important rese
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.