Abstract: FR-PO1150
Gene and Protein Expression Signatures Associated with Kidney Function in the Hispanic/Latino Population
Session Information
- CKD: Screening, Diagnosis, Serum and Urine Biomarkers, and Scoring Indices
November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)
- 2301 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Authors
- Roshani, Rashedeh, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Robinson-Cohen, Cassianne, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Fisher-Hoch, Susan P., The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, United States
- Highland, Heather M, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
- McCormick, Joseph B., The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, United States
- Below, Jennifer E., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Background
Hispanic/Latino individuals—the largest racial and ethnic minority group in the U.S.—experience a disproportionately high burden of kidney disease and are approximately 33% more likely to develop kidney failure. Despite this elevated risk, there remain significant gaps in understanding the molecular drivers of kidney disease in this population. While certain genetic risk factors have been identified, comprehensive transcriptomic and proteomic profiling studies in Hispanic/Latino individuals are lacking.
Methods
We analyzed whole blood transcriptomic and proteomic data from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC), a population-based cohort of over 5,400 Hispanic/Latino individuals recruited from randomly selected households along the Texas–Mexico border. Linear regression models were used to assess associations between gene/protein expression and key kidney function measures, including eGFR, BUM and serum creatinine. Models were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, diabetes status, three genetic ancestry principal components, and residual components to account for unmeasured variation.
Results
We identified 838 transcripts and 53 proteins differentially associated with kidney function measures (Figure 1 for eGFR). Several of these genes map to loci previously implicated in kidney disease by GWAS. Notable protein associations include TNFRSF1B, a known prognostic biomarker in renal cell carcinoma, and CD93, an endothelial cell marker with proposed relevance in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
Conclusion
This study highlights novel and known gene and protein expression changes associated with kidney function in a well-characterized Hispanic/Latino population. These findings offer a foundation for functional validation and causal inference, and may help clarify molecular mechanisms driving kidney disease progression in this underrepresented group.