Jeffrey B. Kopp, M.D.

Chief of the Kidney Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Jeffrey Kopp is a distinguished researcher in the field of nephrology, specializing in clinical and basic studies of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and its associated condition, HIV-associated collapsing glomerulopathy (HIVAN). Throughout his career, Kopp has focused on illuminating the factors contributing to the disproportionate prevalence of these diseases among African Americans. His groundbreaking work led to the identification of APOL1 genetic variants as the primary driver of this health disparity. Jeffrey then shifted his focus to understanding how these variants influence cell function, particularly within podocytes, with the aim of developing targeted therapies. In addition to his investigations into APOL1, Kopp's research encompasses various mechanisms of podocyte injury. He has also explored the involvement of cardiotrophin-like cytokine 1 in post-transplant recurrent FSGS and has contributed to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for FSGS. Jeffrey Kopp is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of kidney disorders.

Selected Publications
Gbadegesin RA, Hall G, Adeyemo A, Hanke N, Tossidou I, Burchette J, Wu G, Homstad A, Sparks MA, Gomez J, Jiang R, Alonso A, Lavin P, Conlon P, Korstanje R, Stander MC, Shamsan G, Barua M, Spurney R, Singhal PC, Kopp JB, Haller H, Howell D, Pollak MR, Shaw AS, Schiffer M, Winn MP. Mutations in the gene that encodes the F-actin binding protein anillin cause FSGS. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2014;25(9):1991-2002.

Wang W, Qiu L, Howard A, Solis N, Li C, Wang X, Kopp JB, Levi M. Protective effects of aliskiren and valsartan in mice with diabetic nephropathy. J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst. 2014;15(4):384-95.

Fornoni A, Merscher S, Kopp JB. Lipid biology of the podocyte–new perspectives offer new opportunities. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2014;10(7):379-88.

Starke C, Betz H, Hickmann L, Lachmann P, Neubauer B, Kopp JB, Sequeira-Lopez ML, Gomez RA, Hohenstein B, Todorov VT, Hugo CP. Renin lineage cells repopulate the glomerular mesangium after injury.

Thomson R, Genovese G, Canon C, Kovacsics D, Higgins MK, Carrington M, Winkler CA, Kopp J, Rotimi C, Adeyemo A, Doumatey A, Ayodo G, Alper SL, Pollak MR, Friedman DJ, Raper J. Evolution of the primate trypanolytic factor APOL1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014;111(20):E2130-9.

Bethesda, MD