APOL1 and Kidney Failure

Session Description:
People of recent West African descent have exceptionally high rates of kidney failure, which is in part attributable to inheritance of genetic variants in the APOL1 gene. While much has been learned about the epidemiology and disease mechanisms related to APOL1 risk variants, much remains to be discovered especially from a therapeutic perspective. This session will describe the latest information on epidemiology and biology of APOL1, the potential implications of APOL1 gene status for kidney transplant outcomes, and current best practices for returning genetic information related to APOL1 in both clinical and research settings.

Learning Objectives:
An increased understanding of the epidemiology (prevalence and associated kidney risk) of APOL1 biology in Africa. An improved understanding of what is currently known about mechanisms underlying APOL! Risks to kidney function and the implications for kidney transplantation. Increased knowledge about best practices for sharing APOL1 genetic data in both clinical and research settings.