Michael J. Ross
<p class="p1"> </p>
<p class="p1">The major focus of research in the Ross laboratory is to identify novel mechanisms of kidney injury occurring in HIV-positive persons and his laboratory uses in vitro and murine models to generate new strategies to prevent and treat kidney diseases. Dr. Ross also works with members of the International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Treatment (INSIGHT) to perform research on kidney disease in the context of large international HIV treatment trials.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ongoing NIH-funded projects:</span></strong></p>
<p class="p1"><strong>Mechanisms by which antiretroviral medications protect kidneys from HIV-induced injury:</strong></p>
<p class="p1">Though combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is efficacious in preventing and treating HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), the mechanisms by which these medications protect the kidney from the deleterious effects of HIV are poorly understood. We are performing studies using transgenic animal models and molecular and genomic techniques to identify novel pathways by which ART protect the kidneys from HIV. Moreover, we have exciting data suggesting that these medications may protect kidneys from non-viral mediated forms of kidney injury, including diabetic kidney disease.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>The role of APOL1 polymorphisms in promoting HIV-induced kidney injury:</strong></p>
<p class="p1">Polymorphisms in the APOL1 gene account for most of the excess risk of African-Americans to non-diabetic kidney disease and HIV-associated kidney disease in particular. In our studies, we are using genetically modified human kidney cells to perform innovative proteomic, and genomic studies to identify novel mechanisms by APOL1 genetic variants predispose to HIV-induced kidney injury. </p>
Apolipoprotein L1 nephropathies
Renal epithelial injury
Podocyte injury
Innate immunity
Antiretroviral toxicity
<p><span style="color:black;">Chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, glomerular diseases, cystic kidney diseases, electrolyte disorders, hypertension, HIV and other virus-related kidney diseases.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:black;">The primary focus of Dr. Ross' research is to identify mechanisms by which HIV and immune dysregulation cause kidney disease and to identify new approaches to prevent and treat kidney disease. Dr. Ross is also involved in clinical studies to determine mechanisms of diabetic kidney injury and to test the effectiveness of novel treatments for chronic kidney diseases.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Most relevant publicatiion in past 10 years:</strong></span></p>
<p>*Mocroft, A., Wyatt, C., Szczech, L., Neuhaus, J., El-Sadr, W., Tracy, R., Kuller, L., Shlipak, M., Angus, B., Klinker, H., and <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, MJ</span></strong>. Interruption of antiretroviral therapy is associated with increased plasma cystatin C: Results from the SMART Study. <em>AIDS</em>. 23, 71-82. 2009.</p>
<p>*Snyder A, Alsauskas Z, Gong P, Rosenstiel P, Klotman M, Klotman P, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>: FAT10: a novel mediator of Vpr-induced apoptosis in HIV-associated nephropathy. <em>J Virol</em>. 83;11983-11988. 2009.</p>
<p>*Gong, P., Canaan, A., Wang, B., Leventhal, S., Snyder, A., Nair, V., Cohen, C. D., Kretzler, M., D'Agati, V., Weissman, S., and <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M. J</span></strong>. The ubiquitin-like protein FAT10 mediates NF-kappaB activation. J Am Soc Nephrol. 21:316. 2009.</p>
<p>Snyder A, Alsauskas ZC, Leventhal JS, Rosenstiel PE, Gong P, Chan J, Barley K, He C, Klotman M, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>, Klotman PE. HIV-1 viral protein r induces ERK and caspase-8 dependent apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells. <em>AIDS</em>, 24:1107-1119. 2010.</p>
<p>Neuhaus, J., Jacobs, D.R., Baker, J.V., Calmy, A., Duprez, D., La Rosa, A., Kuller, L., Pett, S.L., Ristola, M., <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M.J.</span></strong>, Shlipak, M., Tracy, R., and Neaton, J.D. Markers of Inflammation, Coagulation and Renal Function Are Elevated in Adults with HIV Infection. <em>J Infect Dis</em>. 201:1788-1795. 2010.</p>
<p>Chen, P., Chen, B.K., Mosoian, A., Hays, T., <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M.J</span></strong>., Klotman, P.E., and Klotman, M.E. Virological Synapses Allow HIV-1 Uptake and Gene Expression in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells. J Am Soc Nephrol. 22(3): 496-507. 2011.</p>
<p>Leventhal, J.S., Alsauskas, Z., Snyder, A., Gong, P., Wang, B., D’Agati, V., and <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M.J.</span></strong> Renal HIV Expression Is Unaffected by Serum LPS Levels in an HIV Transgenic Mouse Model of LPS Induced Kidney Injury. <em>PLoS One.</em> <strong>6</strong>:e20688. 2011.</p>
<p>Papeta, N., Kiryluk, K., Patel, A., Sterken, R., Kacak, N., Snyder, H.J., Imus, P.H., Mhatre, A.N., Lawani, A.K., Julian, B.A., Wyatt, R.J., Novak, J., Wyatt, C.M., <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M.J.</span></strong>, Winston, J.A., Klotman, M.E., Cohen, D.J., Appel, G.B., D’Agati, V.D., Klotman, P.E., and Gharavi, A.G. APOL1 variants increase risk for FSGS and HIVAN but not IgA nephropathy. <em>J Am Soc Nephrol.</em> 22:1991-1996. 2011.</p>
<p>Mocroft A, Neuhaus J, Peters L, Ryom L, Bickel M, Grint D, Koirala J, Szymczak A, Lundgren J, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>*, Wyatt CM*: Hepatitis B and C Co-Infection Are Independent Predictors of Progressive Kidney Disease in HIV-Positive, Antiretroviral-Treated Adults. PLoS ONE 7:e40245, (*co-senior authors). 2012.</p>
<p>Ryom L, Mocroft A, Kirk O, Worm SW, Kamara DA, Reiss P, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross M</span></strong>, Fux CA, Morlat P, Moranne O, Smith C, Lundgren JD: Exposure to Antiretrovirals (ARVs) and Risk of Renal Impairment among HIV-positive Persons with Normal Baseline Renal Function: the D:A:D study. J Infect Dis 2013.</p>
<p>Ganesan A, Krantz EM, Huppler Hullsiek K, Riddle MS, Weintrob AC, Lalani T, Okulicz JF, Landrum M, Agan B, Whitman TJ, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>, Crum-Cianflone NF: Determinants of incident chronic kidney disease and progression in a cohort of HIV-infected persons with unrestricted access to health care. HIV Med 14:65-76, 2013</p>
<p>Ryom L, Mocroft A, Kirk O, Worm SW, Kamara DA, Reiss P, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross M</span></strong>, Fux CA, Morlat P, Moranne O, Smith C, Lundgren JD; D:A:D Study Group. Association between antiretroviral exposure and renal impairment among HIV-positive persons with normal baseline renal function: the D:A:D study. J Infect Dis. 1;207(9):1359-69. 2013.</p>
<p>Lucas, G., Cozzi-Lepri, A., Wyatt, C., Post, F., Bormann, A., Crum-Cianflone, N., and <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M</span></strong>. Glomerular filtration rate estimated using creatinine, cystatin C or both markers and the risk of clinical events in HIV-infected individuals. HIV Med 15:116-123. PubMed PMID: 24024499. 2014.</p>
<p>Lucas, GM, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, MJ</span></strong>, Stock, PG, Shlipak, MG, Wyatt, CM, Gupta, SK, Atta, MG, Wools-Kaloustian, KK, Pham, PA, Bruggeman, LA, Lennox, JL, Ray, PE, and Kalayjian, RC. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients Infected With HIV: 2014 Update By the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. <em>Clin Infect Dis</em>; 59(9), e96-e138. 2014.</p>
<p>Ryom, L., Mocroft, A., Kirk, O., <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M</span></strong>., Reiss, P., Fux, C. A., Morlat, P., Moranne, O., Smith, C., El-Sadr, W., Law, M., and Lundgren, J. D. Predictors of advanced chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease in HIV-positive persons. AIDS 28, 187-199. 2014.</p>
<p>Mocroft A, Lundgren J, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross M</span></strong>, Law M, Reiss P, Kirk O, Smith C, Wentworth D, Heuhaus J, Fux C, Moranne O, Morlat P, Johnson M, Ryom L; Data on Adverse Events (D:A:D) study group, the Royal Free Hospital Clinic Cohort and the INSIGHT study group. A clinically useful risk-score for chronic kidney disease in HIV infection. J Int AIDS Soc ;17(4 Suppl 3):19514.. PMID: 25394023; PMCID: PMC4224906. 2014.</p>
<p>Leventhal, J.S., He, J.C., and <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M.J</span></strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Autophagy and Immune Response in Kidneys. <em>Semin Nephrol.</em> 34(1):53-61. 2014.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M. J.</span></strong> (2014). Advances in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated kidney diseases. <em>Kidney Int.</em> 86, 266-274. 2014.</p>
<p>Mocroft A, Lundgren JD, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross M</span></strong>, Law M, Reiss P, Kirk O, Smith C, Wentworth D, Neuhaus J, Fux CA, Moranne O, Morlat P, Johnson MA, Ryom L; D:A:D study group; Royal Free Hospital Clinic Cohort; INSIGHT study group; SMART study group; ESPRIT study group. Development and validation of a risk score for chronic kidney disease in HIV infection using prospective cohort data from the D:A:D study. PLoS Med. 2015 Mar 31;12(3):e1001809. PMID: 25826420; PMCID: PMC4380415. 2015.</p>
<p>Wolf T, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ*</span></strong>, and Davenport A. Minimizing risks associated with renal replacement therapy in patients with Ebola Virus Disease. <em>Kidney Int.</em> 2015. 87, 5-7. 2015.</p>
<p>Achhra AC, Mocroft A, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>, Ryom L, Lucas GM, Furrer H, Neuhaus J, Somboonwit C, Kelly M, Gatell JM, Wyatt CM; International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials (INSIGHT) START Study Group. Kidney disease in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-positive adults with high CD4 counts: prevalence and predictors of kidney disease at enrolment in the INSIGHT Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) trial. HIV Med;16 Suppl 1:55-63. PMID: 25711324; PMCID: PMC4341947. 2015.</p>
<p>Mocroft A, Lundgren JD, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross M</span></strong>, Fux CA, Reiss P, Moranne O, Morlat P, Monforte Ad, Kirk O, Ryom L; Data Collection on Adverse events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) Study. Cumulative and current exposure to potentially nephrotoxic antiretrovirals and development of chronic kidney disease in HIV-positive individuals with a normal baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate: a prospective international cohort study. Lancet HIV. 3:e23-32. 2016.</p>
<p>Leventhal JS, Ni J, Osmond M, Lee K, Gusella GL, Salem F, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>. Autophagy Limits Endotoxemic Acute Kidney Injury and Alters Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell Cytokine Expression. PLoS One. 11(3):e0150001. 2016.</p>
<p>Ryom, L, Lundgren, JD, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross, M</span></strong>, Kirk, O, Law, M, Morlat, P, Smit, C, Fontas, E, Fux, CA, Hatleberg, CI, de Wit, S, Sabin, CA, Mocroft, A, D:A:D, SG. Renal Impairment and Cardiovascular Disease in HIV-positive Individuals; The D:A:D Study. J Infect Dis. PMID: 27485357. 2016.</p>
<p>Ryom L, Mocroft A, Kirk O, Reiss P, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross M,</span></strong> Smith C, Moranne O, Morlat P, Fux CA, Sabin C, Phillips A, Law M, Lundgren JD; D:A:D study group.. Predictors of eGFR progression, stabilisation or improvement after chronic renal impairment in HIV-positive individuals. AIDS. 2017 Mar 28. PMID: 28353536.</p>
<p>Nadkarni GN, Wyatt CM, Murphy B, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>. APOL1: a case in point for replacing race with genetics. Kidney Int. 2017 Apr;91(4):768-770. PMID: 28314574.</p>
<p>Rednor SJ, <strong>Ross MJ</strong>. Molecular Mechanisms of Injury in HIV-Associated Nephropathy. Front Med (Lausanne). 2018; 5:177. PMID: 29930940 PMCID: PMC5999756</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>, Coates PT. Using CRISPR to inactivate endogenous retroviruses in pigs: an important step toward safe xenotransplantation. Kidney Int. 2018; 93:4-6, PMID: 29198467.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ.</span></strong> New Insights into APOL1 and Kidney Disease in African Children and Brazilians Living With End-Stage Kidney Disease. Kidney Int Rep. 2019; 4:908-910 PMC6611947.</p>
<p>Ryom L, Dilling Lundgren J, Reiss P, Kirk O, Law M, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross M</span></strong>, Morlat P, Andreas Fux C, Fontas E, De Wit S, D'Arminio Monforte A, El-Sadr W, Phillips A, Ingrid Hatleberg C, Sabin C, Mocroft A. Use of Contemporary Protease Inhibitors and Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Disease in Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) Study. J Infect Dis. 2019 Oct 8;220(10):1629-1634. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz369. PubMed PMID: 31504669; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6782100.</p>
<p>Gao X, Rosales A, Karttunen H, Bommana GM, Tandoh B, Yi Z, Habib Z, Agati V, Zhang W, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>. The HIV protease inhibitor darunavir prevents kidney injury via HIV-independent mechanisms. Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 1;9(1):15857. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-52278-3. PubMed PMID: 31676833; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6825220.</p>
<p>Townsend RR, Guarnieri P, Argyropoulos C, Blady S, Boustany-Kari CM, Devalaraja-Narashimha K, Morton L, Mottl AK, Patel U, Palmer M, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross MJ</span></strong>, Sarov-Blat L, Steinbugler K, Susztak K. Rationale and design of the Transformative Research in Diabetic Nephropathy (TRIDENT) Study. Kidney Int. 2020 Jan;97(1):10-13. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2019.09.020. PubMed PMID: 31901339.</p>
<div class="citation-text" data-citation-style="ama">Akalin E, Azzi Y, Bartash R, Seethamraju H, Parides M, Hemmige V, <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ross M,</span></strong> Forest S, Goldstein YD, Ajaimy M, Liriano-Ward L, Pynadath C, Loarte-Campos P, Nandigam PB, Graham J, Le M, Rocca J, Kinkhabwala M. Covid-19 and Kidney Transplantation. N Engl J Med. 2020 Jun 18;382(25):2475-2477. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2011117. Epub 2020 Apr 24. PMID: 32329975; PMCID: PMC7200055.</div>
<p>Dr. Michael Ross received his MD degree at NYU and completed internal medicine residency training at Duke University, followed by Nephrology Fellowship training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. While he was on the faculty in the Mount Sinai Division of Nephrology from 2001-17, he served as Nephrology Fellowship Program Director from 2004-2015. He became Chief of Nephrology at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center from 2014-2017, where he helped establish the only VA Kidney Transplant Program in the northeastern US. Dr. Ross became Chief of the Division of Nephrology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in 2017 where he is currently Chief of Nephrology and Professor of Medicine and Developmental and Molecular Biology. </p><p>Dr. Ross has served in several national/international leadership roles for the American Society of Nephrology and other organizations, served as Deputy Editor of Kidney International, and is currently Nephrology Section Editor of the American College of Physicians Medical Knowledge and Self-Assessment Program. Dr. Ross was also the recipient of the 2021 American Society of Nephrology Distinguished Leader Award. The major focus of Dr. Ross’ research program is to identify novel mechanisms of HIV-induced kidney diseases and other forms of kidney injury. He is also site principal investigator of clinical and translational research studies of diabetic kidney disease and other kidney diseases. <br /></p>