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Nephrology and kidney transplantation

Our research group is accredited by the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) in Catalonia, and focuses on two main areas of interest which are related to Solid Organ Transplantation and especially Kidney, and in clinical Nephrology. We tackle these areas from an innovative perspective, both basic-experimental and mechanistic, always with a translational goal. On the one hand, we investigate, develop, and use novel diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to decipher and target main molecular and immune mechanisms of transplant rejection as well as the immune susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignancies. Also, a main task force of the group is devoted to better understand the main mechanisms involved in certain autoimmune glomerular diseases and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome as well as in diabetic kidney disease, having a specific interest in the role of the renin-angiotensin system. Our ultimate goal is to improve the management and care of patients suffering from kidney diseases as well as their quality of life, reducing associated morbidity and mortality.

Publications

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis induced by checkpoint inhibitors versus classical acute tubulointerstitial nephritis: are they the same disease?

PMID: 33777371
Journal: Clinical Kidney Journal
Year: 2021
Reference: Clin Kidney J. 2020 May 4;14(3):884-890. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfaa027. eCollection 2021 Mar.
Impact factor: 4.452
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Draibe, Juliana B, Garcia-Carro, Clara, Martinez-Valenzuela, Laura, Agraz, Irene, Fulladosa, Xavier, Bolufer, Monica, Tango, Ariel, Torras, Joan, Soler, Maria Jose et al.
DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfaa027

Predictors of severe COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients in the different epidemic waves: analysis of the Spanish Registry.

PMID: 33756067
Journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
Year: 2021
Reference: Am J Transplant. 2021 Jul;21(7):2573-2582. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16579. Epub 2021 Apr 12.
Impact factor: 8.086
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Villanego, Florentino, Mazuecos, Auxiliadora, Perez-Flores, Isabel M, Moreso, Francesc, Andres, Amado, Jimenez-Martin, Carlos, Molina, Maria, Canal, Cristina, Sanchez-Camara, Luis A, Zarraga, Sofia et al.
DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16579

The STARMEN trial indicates that alternating treatment with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide is superior to sequential treatment with tacrolimus and rituximab in primary membranous nephropathy.

PMID: 33166580
Journal: KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
Year: 2021
Reference: Kidney Int. 2021 Apr;99(4):986-998. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.10.014. Epub 2020 Nov 7.
Impact factor: 10.612
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Espinosa, Mario, Egido, Jesus, Segarra, Alfonso, Lambeau, Gerard, Ronco, Pierre, Wetzels, Jack, Praga, Manuel, Plaisier, Emmanuelle, Shabaka, Amir, Romera, Ana et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.10.014

Predictors of outcome in a Spanish cohort of patients with Fabry disease on enzyme replacement therapy.

PMID: 33714629
Journal: NEFROLOGIA
Year: 2021
Reference: Nefrologia (Engl Ed). 2021 Mar 10. pii: S0211-6995(21)00031-X. doi: 10.1016/j.nefro.2021.01.002.
Impact factor: 2.033
Publication type: Paper in national publication
Authors: Lopes, Vanessa, Ramos, Carmela, Mendez, Irene, Cao, Mercedes, Dominguez, Fernando, Ortiz, Alberto, Martin-Conde, Maria Luisa, Gutierrez, Maria Jose, Quiroga, Borja, Corchete, Elena et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2021.01.002

Blog

News

A study from the Vall d’Hebron Campus demonstrates that the Ex Vivo C5b-9 deposition test is useful for monitoring the activity of the complement system (CS) in patients with aHUS or transplant-associated TMA.

An international study involving the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and VHIR shows that there are substantial differences between men and women in the energy metabolism of of renal tubular cells.

Dr. Conxita Jacobs' research has been awarded in the clinical project category, while Dr. Anna Meseguer's research has been recognised in the basic research category.