Nephrology

Pediatric Nephrology Section Chief, Dr. Ihor Yosypiv reviews a patient's medical records for the best treatment plan.

The Department of Pediatrics' Section of Pediatric Nephrology has an outstanding tradition of excellence in patient care, pediatric research, and physician training.  The section has earned numerous academic honors and represents Tulane University at local and national committees and scientific assemblages worldwide.

Pediatric Nephrology provides patient care services at Children's Hospital New Orleans' Nephrology Center.  The faculty and staff take immense pride in their superb quality of compassionate clinical care while utilizing all resources to provide the best possible outcome. 

Pediatrics Center of Excellence

Pediatric Hypertension, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation Center

Programs and Services
  • Acute and chronic renal failure
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome
  • Nephritis
  • Proteinuria
  • Hematuria
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Cystic kidney diseases
  • Lupus nephritis
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Genetic renal disorders
  • Hypertension
  • Kidney transplantation
  • Peritoneal dialysis
  • Hemodialysis
Research

Division of Pediatric Nephrology has an outstanding history as a leader in pediatric nephrology research.  Currently, the Division is researching:

  • Gene interactions in kidney development
  • Transcriptional control of kidney development
  • Role of epigenetics in kidney development

The overall theme of our research program is the cellular and molecular regulation of kidney development. Ongoing projects in the lab are:

  1. Epigenetic control of renal development. We are interested in the molecular mechanisms which balance nephron progenitor self-renewal and differentiation. Ultimately, these mechanisms will determine the final nephron number and thus susceptibility to hypertension and chronic kidney disease. We are currently focused on chromatin-based repressive mechanisms, e.g., Histone deacetylation, H3K9/K27/K79 methylation. Our work tests the hypothesis that chromatin bivalency (active/repressive chromatin) is crucial for cell fate decisions (I.e., renewal vs. differentiation). Our toolbox utilizes mouse genetics, epigenetics (Chromatin-based techniques, such ChIP-Seq), organotypic metanephric cultures, and various cell- and tissue based biochemical and genetic approaches.
  2. Gene-environment interactions in renal development. A mouse model of human renal dysplasia was developed in our lab. Induction of abnormal nephron differentiation requires the cooperation of a genetic defect (bradykinin B2 receptor gene disruption in the ureteric bud lineage) and an embryonic stressor (gestational high salt intake). Differential gene expression analysis in these mice has revealed a novel multifactorial paradigm of aberrant renal epithelial cell differentiation involving epigenetic factors, tumor suppressors, transcription factors, cell cycle proteins, and cell-cell adhesion molecules. Accordingly, the goal for the next 5 years will be to explore the individual pathways leading to aberrant renal cell differentiation.
Our Team

Ihor Yosypiv, MD – Section Chief
Samir El-Dahr, MD – Jane B. Aron Chairman in Pediatrics
Hongbing Liu, PhD
Giovane Tortelote, PhD

Contact Information

Patient Services:
LCMC Health Ridgelake Health Center
2121 Ridgelake Dr.
Metairie, LA 70001
Phone: 504-988-6253
Fax 504-988-7654

Department Main:
Tulane University School of Medicine
Pediatrics Department
210 State Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: 504-988-6692
Fax: 504-988-1771

Section Main:
Tulane University School of Medicine
Pediatric Nephrology
1430 Tulane Ave.
SL-37, Room 5200
Phone: 504-988-5377
Fax: 504-988-1852
Contact: Lynette Joseph
Email: ljoseph@tulane.edu