Study reveals 35 genes linked to chronic kidney disease

An international study by scientists from the University of Manchester has revealed the identity of genes that predispose people to chronic kidney disease.

This discovery is a major advance in understanding the significantly underdiagnosed disorder that, if not detected, can lead to kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation.

The discovery of 35 kidney genes is an important advance in the future development of new diagnostic tests and treatments for the disease, which affects about one in ten adults.

The research teams were based in Poland, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Professor Maciej Tomaszewski, senior researcher at the University of Manchester, said: "Chronic kidney disease is known for its strong genetic component.

"Our limited knowledge of its exact genetic mechanisms partly explains why advances in the development of new diagnostic tests and treatments for chronic kidney failure have been so slow.

"The discoveries were made possible by the use of advanced technology known as" next-generation RNA sequencing "applied to one of the largest collections of human kidneys ever made.

"We hope that some of the kidney genes we have discovered will become attractive targets for the development of future diagnoses and treatments for patients with chronic renal failure."

Professor Adrian Woolf, co-author of the Manchester Children's Hospital and the Manchester Universality, said: "One of the genes, mucin-1, is particularly interesting.

"It makes a sticky protein called mucin that covers the urinary tubes inside the kidney. Mutations of this gene have already been discovered in rare families with hereditary renal failure. "

Professor Fadi Charchar, of the Federation University Australia, said: "We hope that early prediction through genetic testing, even before the symptoms develop, will be the first line of defense against the disease in the future. 39, one of the deadliest in the world. "

"Early detection followed by treatment using protective kidney drugs or the avoidance of drugs that can damage the kidneys is the key to healthier kidneys later in life."

Elaine Davies, director of research operations at Kidney Research UK, said: "Nearly 2 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with moderate-to-severe MPC by their GP, but it is estimated that one an additional million people remain undiagnosed. We talk about CKD as a silent killer because it is common for it to have little or no symptoms until the consequences of the disease have appeared.

"The results of this research are extremely important because they bring us closer to our ability to understand, diagnose earlier and prevent kidney disease."

The team published the study funded by Kidney Research UK in Nature Communications.