Understanding how IgA1 immune complexes cause kidney disease in Berger’s disease
Official title: Determination of structural features critical for nephritogenic properties of IgA1-containing immune complexes in IgA nephropathy
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11431374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $743,278 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK148678-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11431374 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with IgA nephropathy (Berger’s disease) or related kidney disease may be eligible for future studies or related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease is driven by mechanisms not addressed by these immune complexes may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
IgA nephropathy is a leading cause of kidney disease with serious health consequences. The project focuses on identifying structural parts of IgA1-containing immune complexes that make them nephritogenic. Using human kidney biopsy data and experimental models, researchers will explore how these complexes interact with the kidney to trigger damage. Findings could point toward new strategies to prevent progression to kidney failure. This work aims to translate basic immune biology into future clinical options for patients with Berger’s disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatments that slow or prevent kidney damage in IgA nephropathy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked Gd-IgA1 and autoantibodies to disease mechanisms, suggesting a plausible path forward for therapeutic targets.
Where this research is happening
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University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Green, Todd Jason — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Green, Todd Jason
Related research
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B cells that make abnormal IgA1 in IgA kidney disease
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Genetic drivers of IgA (Berger's) kidney disease
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A new way to identify IgA nephropathy using specific 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.