Inflammatory and Immune Profiling of Kidney Tissue Obtained From Patients With Newly Diagnosed Kidney Disease

The aim of the study is to evaluate in humans inflammatory and immune mediators that may play
a role in kidney damage. The investigators hypothesize that certain inflammatory and immune
mediators identified in the serum and/or urine of patients with a variety of different renal
disease states will provide prognostic information regarding their clinical course.
Furthermore, we hypothesize that RNA transcriptional profiling of renal biopsy specimens will
identify gene array patterns that provide prognostic information for various disease states.
Lastly, we hypothesize that patterns of inflammatory and immune mediators identified in serum
and/or urine may yield predictive diagnostic information in lieu of renal biopsy. The ability
to detect and quantify these mediators may lead to earlier detection and treatment prior to
the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to stage 4 and/or 5.

The study will evaluate serially collected serum, blood and urine over a one-year period post
kidney biopsy for both the presence of inflammatory or immune mediators. The blood, serum and
urine inflammatory and immune mediators will be correlated with the kidney pathology gene
signature. Note that all of the biopsies are conducted based upon clinical indication and not
for the purpose of the study.

Renal pathology gene signatures obtained from study subjects will be compared to "normal"
control specimens. Normal specimens will be obtained from donor transplant kidneys or
nephrectomy specimens performed on patients undergoing nephrectomy for the clinical
indication of an identified renal mass. Representative "normal" tissue will be obtained from
the nephrectomized kidney at a site distant from the renal mass.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Male and females, 18 years to 90 years old

- Any subject with pre-existing clinical indication of a kidney biopsy including, but
not limited to, nephritic syndrome, nephritic syndrome or proteinuric disease state.
Additionally, kidney transplant donors will be included for purpose of obtaining
control tissue.

- Willing and able to give consent

- Additionally, kidney transplant donors and patients requiring nephrectomy for removal
of renal mass will be included for purpose of obtaining control tissue.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Subjects on longstanding immunosuppressive agents (empiric initiation of
glucocorticoid therapy within 48 hours prior to kidney biopsy is acceptable)

- Kidney transplant recipient

- Inability to follow-up for future protocol laboratory evaluation