The Nephrology Section at the UW Hospital and Clinics has a strong interest in pursuing clinical, translational and basic research questions in nephrology and transplantation. There are a number of ongoing studies in many aspects of kidney disease.

1. Clinical Research
One of the objectives of the UW nephrology section has been to better gauge the effect of treatments and intervention on outcomes in patients with acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease and kidney transplantation.

• Outcome studies. Investigators in the nephrology section have engaged in a number of database studies assessing progression and outcomes in patients with native and transplant kidney disease (see Drs Djamali, Becker, Nanovic, Yevzlin, Chan, Muehrer and Hofmann)
• Mechanistic studies.
  There are also ongoing funded clinical trials examining
  • The pathogenesis of chronic kidney allograft injury (Drs. Becker and Djamali)
  • The mechanisms of antibody-mediated allograft injury
  • The mechanisms of arterial wall stiffening and injury in elderly patients with CKD (Dr. Nanovic, Dr. Sweitzer)

2. Translational Research

The translational research program in the nephrology section and the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (UW-ICTR) have helped the young investigators obtain competitive extramural grants while simultaneously enhancing research education for all members of the section.

The current focus of translational research in the section is the study oxidative stress in the development and progression of chronic allograft nephropathy and chronic kidney disease. To that end, members of the section are not only analyzing patient samples but also working with members of the Department of Radiology (Drs. Thomas Grist, Elisabeth Sadowski, Sean Fain) to image intrarenal oxygenation using MRI techniques.

3. Basic Science

The basic science research program in the nephrology section is focused on the theme of fibrogenesis in native and transplant kidney disease. We use traditional and novel techniques in immunology, molecular biology and biochemistry to determine the molecular and cellular mechanisms of kidney fibrosis.

These techniques include cell cultures, semi-quantitative and real time polymerase chain reactions, immunohistochemical and microarray cDNA chip analyses, protein studies and animal models of disease.

The current focus of the investigators is on the following main areas:

Dr. Maria Alfonso-Jaume. The role of matrix metalloproteinase proteins in glomerular and tubular injury.
Dr. Bryan Becker. The role of TGF-β and its signaling pathways in kidney scarring.
Dr. Aji Djamali. The role of oxidative stress, Nox and small heat shock protein27 (HSP27) in kidney fibrogenesis.
Dr. Rebecca Muehrer, PhD, RN: Sexual concerns and quality of life after kidney transplantation.