Nephrology

Pediatric Hypertension, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation Center

• 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

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.

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

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