Hitoshi Suzuki
Plenary Session 7 presentation title: “What biomarkers are on the horizon that may help risk stratify patients with IgAN?”
Hitoshi Suzuki, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Nephrology at Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Dr. Hitoshi Suzuki is an Associate Professor of Nephrology at Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine. He received M.D. and Ph.D. in Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine. He has investigated genetic factors, the role of bone-marrow derived cells, and mucosal immunity involved in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. After the postgraduate course, he went to University of Alabama at Birmingham in USA to study molecular mechanisms of IgA nephropathy from 2005 to 2009 (mentor: Prof. Jan Novak). We have cloned IgA- and IgG-secreting cell lines from patients with IgA nephropathy and healthy controls, and have analysed molecular mechanisms and characteristics of aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and the anti-Gd-IgA1 antibodies that formed the nephritogenic immune complexes. Furthermore, we have proposed ‘A Multi-hit Mechanism’; the concept of pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. He received the prize ‘Dr. Berger Award’ in 11th and 12th International Symposium on IgA Nephropathy. His group recently established Gd-IgA1 monoclonal antibody in use for ELISA and immunofluorescent analysis of kidney biopsy specimens.
