New Strategies for Non-invasive Detection of Chronic Allograft Nephropathy

We hypothesize that patients with CAN will manifest different patterns of gene expression profiling (compared with non-CAN controls), detectable in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and urine cells. By studying differences that exist in peripheral blood or in the graft and its local environment (urine samples), informative biomarkers may be discovered to improve treatment programs.

Specific Aims:

AIM 1: To investigate the genes involved in the molecular mechanism that characterize CAN in kidney transplant recipients, we will study gene expression in kidney biopsy samples from patients with CAN. For comparison analysis, we will study gene expression profiling in normal kidney biopsies (Control Group 1).

AIM 2: To determine whether there is a role for assessing peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and urine cell gene expression patterns as a means of measuring the immunologic and clinical status of kidney transplant recipients, we will compare gene expression profiles among PBMC, urine and biopsy samples.

AIM 3: To establish the clinical utility of the set of markers resulting from AIMS 1 and 2 in the diagnostic of CAN, we will use "real time"(RT)-PCR in PBMC and urine samples employing a limited panel of markers in an independent group of patients.