Areas of Expertise

We use cutting-edge technology to break down frontiers.

Immune Regulation

Rather than suppressing the entire immune system, Dr. Riella’s lab employs unique methods to enhance the regulatory arm of the immune system. This approach fosters a healthier balance and reduces the toxicity associated with immunosuppressive medications. They are actively investigating regulatory immune pathways and cells, such as regulatory T cells, PD1, CTLA4, and Notch pathways. Their groundbreaking research has been published in reputable scientific journals such as Circulation, Nature Comm, JCI, JCI Insight, American Journal Transp, and Transplantation.

Nutrition and Immune System

The diet has an enormous impact in our microbiota and immune system (our review on the Journal of Clinical Investigation). Our group investigates the complementary role of certain dietary changes in regulating auto-immune diseases (GENIE study) and the rejection process post-transplantation (JASN). Read our review about dietary recommendations in kidney transplantation (Kidney Int Rep).

Personalized Medicine

Using a unique biobank of human transplant samples in our center, we investigate individual patients’ genetics, clinical characteristics, blood and urine biomarkers to personalize the care of transplant patients (Nat Biomed Eng, JCI, JCI Insight). We are also leading a multicenter study looking at glomerular disease recurrence after transplantation (TANGO), a major cause of organ transplant loss, tackling challenges such as FSGS recurrence (CJASN) and IgA recurrence (CJASN). Read our review on the latest insights on glomerular disease recurrence post-transplantation (CJASN).

Interventional Trials

Translating science to the clinic is a crucial step in improving patient care. Selectively expanding the regulatory arm of the immune system would allow the minimization of immunosuppression use, reduce medication side effects and improve transplant outcomes. We are investigating the use of drugs that promote peripheral immune tolerance post-transplantation by using low-dose IL-2 or more selective agents such as mutein IL-2. We also have ongoing trials of simultaneous bone marrow and kidney transplants for tolerance induction (MGH Center for Clinical Transplantation Tolerance).

Kidney Transplantation iBook

Ready to Revolutionize Transplant Teaching.

More than 200 original figures displayed in high-resolution, including graphs and illustrations. You may use the figures to review topics or for teaching during rounds.

The pathology chapter discusses the optimal approach in interpreting kidney transplant biopsies and illustrates common findings in different etiologies of graft dysfunction, including cellular/humoral rejection, drug toxicity and recurrent glomerular diseases.

Many now consider the kidney ultrasound the stethoscope of the nephrologist. You will have access to ultrasound images and photos illustrating how to perform and interpret a kidney transplant ultrasound. Images of common kidney allograft abnormalities are depicted.

More details…

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The TANGO study is an exciting project, which aims to create a large international network of centers to study glomerular disease (GN) recurrence after renal transplantation.
www.tangoxstudy.com

First publication summarizing the project: BMC Nephrology 2018

FSGS recurrence post-transplantation: CJASN 2020

IgA recurrence post-transplantation: CJASN 2021

Review on glomerular disease post-transplantation: CJASN 2022

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Recurrence Post-Transplantation: Kidney News 2022

Publications

A portfolio with a few of my publications.

Lab

Get to know the team that works with me in the lab.

Bio

Get to know a little bit more about my bio.

For Patients

Do you have a question about your kidney disease and/or kidney transplant?

Contact

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