Genetics
Our initial work with Chronic Kidney Disease of non-traditional etiology (CKDnt) revealed that it was common for multiple individuals in a family to suffer from CKDnt or associated health concerns. Genes are passed down from previous generations, and many community members share similar physical characteristics, as well as genetic characteristics. As a result, we hypothesize that ancestry could play a role in susceptibility to CKDnt. There may be a gene, or multiple genes, that influence susceptibility to certain environmental exposures (i.e. heat stress, dehydration, agrochemicals) making someone more likely to develop CKDnt.
While our overall goal is to discover risk factors for CKDnt that we can mitigate, the identification of genetic variants that affect risk of disease can result in a better design of epidemiological studies to increase our understanding of environmental, occupational, and socio-behavioral exposures associated with CKDnt onset. Identifying a gene may also provide insight into the environmental exposure responsible for CKDnt development. For example, if the gene identified is involved in detoxification, it may point to a toxic exposure being a major causal factor for CKD. If a person with disease (case) is more sensitive to environmental exposure than a person without disease (control), we may be able to identify genetic variants that are more frequent among certain groups. This may help explain certain apparent inconsistencies in regards to environmental exposures, such as the widespread global exposure to factors such as heat stress or agrichemical exposure, yet the apparent concentration of CKDnt in particular populations.
Genetic studies to date: