Understanding genetic risks in kidney disease and transplant outcomes
Official title: Defining the Landscape of HLA Risk Alleles in Primary Nephrotic Syndrome and Post Kidney Transplant Recurrence
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10848358 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes, especially those related to the immune system, might affect people with primary nephrotic syndrome and how they respond to treatments like kidney transplants, so we can better understand the condition and improve care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $650,335 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI152585-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10848358 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and young adults diagnosed with primary nephrotic syndrome, especially those who are steroid resistant or have undergone kidney transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with nephrotic syndrome who are steroid sensitive and do not require transplantation may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic factors associated with primary nephrotic syndrome, particularly focusing on the role of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes. By analyzing a diverse group of over 3,700 patients, the study aims to identify specific genetic variants that may influence the disease's progression and response to treatments, including kidney transplants. Using advanced next-generation sequencing techniques, the researchers will explore both coding and non-coding regions of HLA genes to gain insights into how these genetic factors contribute to the risk of nephrotic syndrome and its recurrence after transplantation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for predicting and managing nephrotic syndrome and its recurrence in kidney transplant patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown associations between HLA variants and nephrotic syndrome, but this research aims to expand on those findings with a larger, more diverse patient population and advanced sequencing techniques.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gbadegesin, Rasheed Adebayo — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Gbadegesin, Rasheed Adebayo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microbial clues to diagnose and predict infections in kidney transplant patients
A patient-focused project will look for microbial biomarkers in stool, blood, and urine to help doctors predict and diagnose infections in people who have had a kidney transplant.
-
Immunological mechanisms behind treatment-resistant kidney transplant rejection
This grant explores why certain kidney transplant rejections don’t respond to standard treatments and what immune cells in the graft are driving that resistance.
-
Complement-Bound Exosomes and Kidney Transplant Immunity
This project studies how kidney transplant injury and rejection happen after surgery and whether blocking certain immune pathways during organ preservation could improve transplant outcomes.
-
Blood vessel signals predicting heart problems after kidney transplant
This project studies blood markers and tissue patterns after kidney transplants to identify which patients are at highest risk of cardiovascular problems.
-
Understanding how BK virus links infection to kidney transplant rejection
This project looks at how BK polyomavirus reactivation affects kidney transplant patients and aims to use pre-transplant T cell information to tailor immunosuppression and monitoring.
-
Characterization of a LILRB3 SNP cluster and its link to kidney transplant outcomes
A study in kidney transplant recipients looks at genetic factors that may be tied to higher risk of graft failure.
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.