Biorepository: IgA Nephropathy

Better understanding of IgA nephropathy

What is the IgA Nephropathy Biorepository

The IgA Nephropathy Biorepository is a confidential list of people who have been diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and are willing to donate a blood sample and share health information for research.

IgA nephropathy is a little-understood autoimmune disease that happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks tiny filtering devices in the kidneys called glomeruli. In IgA nephropathy autoantibodies against hypogalactosylated IgA leads to deposition of IgA-containing immune complexes in the kidney, leading to chronic inflammation, renal injury, and end stage renal disease requiring transplant.

Our scientists study donated samples to better understand the causes and long-term health effects of IgA nephropathy and explore better treatment options. All of the information gathered is kept confidential, and samples and health information are coded with numbers, not names.

Participate in IgA Nephropathy Disease Research

We are currently recruiting people ages 15 and up who have been diagnosed with IgA nephropathy to participate in this biorepository.

We are also looking for family members and friends of all ages who do not have IgA nephropathy or another immune-mediated or autoimmune disease to join our healthy volunteer registry.

Participating in research typically involves a 45-60 minute visit to BRI in downtown Seattle. Our team will collect a blood sample and ask questions about your personal and family medical history. All samples and information are kept confidential. Learn more: Biorepository FAQ

Are you living with IgA nephropathy?

Consider donating to our biorepository to help advance research.
Bernard Khor
Assistant Member

Bernard Khor, MD, PhD

Associate Member; Principal Investigator, Khor Lab; Associate Medical Director, Bloodworks Northwest; Affiliant Assistant Professor, University of Washington
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What IgA Nephropathy Research Is BRI Conducting?

  • Working to understand how and why IgA nephropathy starts
  • Seeking out new treatments and prevention for IgA nephropathy

Labs Studying IgA Nephropathy

Khor Lab Main

Khor Lab

The Khor lab is interested in understanding novel pathways that regulate tolerance and inflammation, with the goal of developing novel precision therapies. A major focus of the lab is understanding the mechanistic basis of immune dysregulation in people with Down syndrome.
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Speake Research Project Main - TrialNet Pathway to Prevention

Speake Lab

The Speake group is interested in advancing clinical research – especially in type 1 diabetes, but also in the context of other immune-mediated diseases.
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