Australian researchers identify kidney-protecting gene​

A study related to a genetic mutation and its effect on the kidney was recently published in the journal 'Cell Reports Medicine'.

A group of researchers in Australia have recently identified a gene that indicates that the kidney has its own way of resisting damage. It was also seen that a mutation of that same gene, when in patients with certain diseases such as diabetes, can trigger the development of a renal disease.

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This gene is being called VANGL1. It has helped to stop the immune system from attacking the kidney. According to the researchers, this genetic mutation is present in 15% of the population worldwide. It can cause renal diseases in people who have diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.

Also Read : World Kidney Day : Discussing the impact of Kidney diseases and health problems

This mutation is highly prevalent among the indigenous people who reside in the Tiwi islands. These islands are 80 kilometers away from the city of Darwin in the northern territory of Australia.

The researchers had conducted a study on the people and found out that just less than 50% of the residents of the islands have the genetic mutation. This could explain why the recorded rates of kidney disease among the indigenous people residing on the island are four times that of indigenous Australians residing on the mainland. It is also 11 times more that that of non-indigenous Australians.

The researchers had conducted a study on the people and found out that just less than 50% of the residents of the islands have the genetic mutation.Unsplash

Dr. Simon Jiang from the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University said that the mutation is mostly benign in healthy adult human beings.

Dr. Jiang added, "If your body is not inflamed and you are otherwise healthy, it is probably not too much of an issue. It is when you have another condition that occurs on top of it. And so in the Tiwi Islands, rates of infection, of diabetes and probably some immune diseases, are a lot higher than the rest of Australia. And so, when you have that process happening within your body, what is initially a reasonably benign mutation suddenly takes on a new turn and becomes something that is really bad news for the kidney".

This study could lead to a better transplant screening that would help to identify a potential donor having the same genetic mutation. (VOA/SP)

(Keywords : Australia, research, health, kidney, gene, mutation, diabetes, immune system, autoimmune disorders, population, renal, genetic, study, infection, transplant.)