Genetic deficiency of albumin raises LDL cholesterol almost as much as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) variants do. Yet ALB is not recognized as a cause of FH. In ~560k individuals from Geisinger and All of Us, 77 (1 in 7,289) carried an ALB loss-of-function variant. Their albumin was 0.69 g/dL lower and their LDL-C 38 mg/dL higher than in people without an ALB or FH variant. ALB pLoF carriers are rarer than LDLR and APOB carriers, but commoner than PCSK9 gain-of-function carriers. The effect sizes follow the same order. Here is the interesting part. A polygenic score for blood albumin levels says the lower the genetically predicted albumin, the lower the LDL cholesterol. The inverse of what the rare variants tell us. This is likely because the polygenic score is dominated by trans variants that capture overall liver health (liver output, inflammation) rather than albumin itself. A score built only from variants within the ALB gene agrees with the rare variant findings. Berry et al. JACC 2026

Kicked off #NKFSCM 2026 with the #Nephrogenetics workshop — great to be on the panel alongside Drs. Alex Chang, @MattLanktree, & Christie Thomas. Important conversations happening at the intersection of genetics and kidney disease. 🧬

➡️ Moving Mendelian Randomization From Traditional Risk Factors to Molecular Targets for Drug Development and Clinical Trials in Nephrology kireports.org/article/S2468-…

How can genomics and Mendelian randomization help drug targets traverse the "Valley of Death" in kidney research? Please see and share our new paper: kireports.org/article/S2468-…

This prospective study in #ASNJASN of 976 adults measured the association between subclinical primary aldosteronism and kidney outcomes. Read more: kidney.pub/JASN1039

Kidney stones in ADPKD are common yet often overlooked, with rates from 3-59%. Check out our recent article on kidney stones in ADPKD, with a focus on how metabolic and structural factors impair drainage and complicate management🫘💎. @fouadchebib tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.…

What an awesome session on common variant CKD genetics @ASNKidney #KidneyWk @kidneyomicsamps @LoebLab @LimdiNita

Fantastic session on genetic studies of complex kidney traits and diseases using large scale biobanks and multi-omic approaches, moderated by @MattLanktree and @kidneyomicsamps (double the Matts, double the insight!) #KidneyWk

🧬🫘Excited to share that our team presented 3 posters at #KidneyWk Genetic kidney disease is an evolving and rapidly expanding field, and we’re proud to contribute through both patient care and research. Grateful for the opportunity to share, connect, and learn. Until next year!

We are celebrating 25 years of partnership impact with @CIHR_IRSC! Together we’ve trained researchers, advanced equitable care, and improved the health of Canadians living with kidney disease. Learn more: bit.ly/CIHR-25TH-Anniv #KidneyResearch #HealthInnovation #CIHR25

A 4-protein plasma index (UMOD, MIOX, HPSE, AREL1) detects early kidney damage in DKD & #lupus #nephritis better than eGFR or albuminuria (AUC = 0.92–1.00 vs 0.27–0.94). M. Nerenberg #KidneyWk TH-OR042

“Educating the next generation expert in nephrology genetics”: we need a new workforce to deal with rapidly growing role of genetics in Nephrology! kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrac…

Study finds that Non-DNMT3A CHIP was associated with CKD progression among individuals with CKD, and Tet2-CHIP mouse models support a causal role in kidney injury. bit.ly/JASN0680 #ASNJASN

In patients with CKD, non-DNMT3A CHIP was associated with cardiovascular disease with an effect size similar to that reported in the general population. bit.ly/JASN0671 #ASNJASN

A thorough discussion on “Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: 2025 Update” during the activity of Department of Medicine, Nephrology section. Thanks to Dr. Matthew Bruce Lanktree for the presentation 📚

🚨🚨 Our new manuscript is now available online! Co-led with the awesome @mingxiangteng Peripheral blood somatic mosaicism and clonal hematopoiesis across ancestry backgrounds medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/…

Summary of a new weapon to fight diabetic kidney disease! GLP-1 receptor agonists for the win! Now in @CMAJ @IrfuIKUCC cmaj.ca/content/196/40/E1345

New commentary on UMOD kidney disease in @KIReports kireports.org/article/S2468-…

Join us for our 2024 Toronto PKD Scientific Day on Nov 15! Let's learn together about key topics in PKD from experts in the field! You can't come to Toronto? No worries, It's an hybrid event. More info 👇🏾 shorturl.at/6Tdcc

Unedited love song for the kidneys during #nephjc party #kidneywk All the applause go to @Maximal_Change