Podocyte density is reduced in kidney allografts with high-risk APOL1 genotypes at transplantation.

ABSTRACT: Variants in apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene are associated with nondiabetic kidney diseases in black subjects and reduced kidney transplant graft survival. Living and deceased black kidney donors (n = 107) were genotyped for APOL1 variants. To determine whether allografts from high-risk APOL1 donors have reduced podocyte densities contributing to allograft failure, we morphometrically estimated podocyte number, glomerular volume, and podocyte density. We compared allograft loss and eGFR trajectories stratified by APOL1 high-risk and low-risk genotypes. Demographic characteristics were similar in high-risk (n = 16) and low-risk (n = 91) donors. Podocyte density was significantly lower in high-risk than low-risk donors (108 ± 26 vs 127 ± 40 podocytes/10⁶ um³ , P = .03).

SUBMITTER: Chen DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9009375 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature