NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have found strong new evidence that genetic variations in regions of chromosomes 3, 10 and 18 are linked to severe kidney disease in younger African Americans with diabetes. These findings may ultimately lead to new drugs to prevent kidney failure in diabetics.
According to their report at the American Society of Nephrology meeting, researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center analyzed DNA from 216 black families in which at least two siblings had developed type 2 diabetes and severe kidney disease.
Their research showed genetic linkage, particularly in younger patients, between kidney disease and regions on chromosomes 3 and 18. According to Dr. Barry I. Freedman, who presented his group’s findings, these polymorphic regions had been previously demonstrated in type 1 diabetics from other ethnic groups.
“And now we found that the same regions are linked to type 2 diabetes-associated kidney disease in blacks,” he told Reuters Health. “What’s exciting is that genes that regulate kidney failure appear to be independent of diabetes type.”
Diabetes is just a risk factor, he added, and “genetic susceptibility to kidney failure is what puts these people over the edge.”
His own group had previously identified abnormalities on chromosome 10, and their current research replicated those findings.
Dr. Freedman hopes that once the involved genes are identified, proteomic analysis will reveal “why some diabetics get kidney disease and others don’t.” Moreover, the involved proteins represent potential therapeutic targets “to prevent kidney failure in people who are otherwise at risk.”
MeSH Headings:Biological Sciences: Biology: Chemistry: Chemistry, Analytical: Chemistry, Physical: Congresses: Dialysis: Health Care Economics and Organizations: Genetics: Linkage (Genetics): Investigative Techniques: Organizations: Physical Sciences: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment: Biological Sciences: Health Care: Physical SciencesCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
