APOL1 renal-risk variants induce mitochondrial fission

To assess gene expression by APOL1 genotypes in primary proximal tubule cells (PTCs), global gene expression (mRNA) levels were examined on Affymetrix HTA 2.0 arrays in primary PTCs cultured from non-diseased kidney in African Americans without CKD who underwent nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma. To detect gene profiles attributable to APOL1 renal-risk genotypes, African American primary proximal tubule cells with two APOL1 renal-risk alleles (N=5), one risk allele (N=23), and lacking renal-risk alleles (N=22) were compared for global gene expression when poly IC stimulation was absent (pre-) or present (post-) .