Dr Ruth M Tarzi

I am an Arthritis Research UK Clinician Scientist and my research interests focus on the causes and pathology of glomerulonephritis, or kidney inflammation. Specifically, I am interested in the role of Fc gamma receptors for IgG in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. Confirmed or suspected cases of glomerulonephritis are the second commonest cause of endstage renal failure, and both the disease and its current treatments are a source of patient morbidity.

I am an Honorary Consultant Nephrologist at the West London Renal and Transplant Centre (WLRTC), and my clinical interests are in ANCA-associated vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Basic research

Fc receptors play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Fc receptors are expressed by various cell types including neutrophils, macrophages and B cells. They are involved in inflammatory responses to immune complexes, but are also involved in the regulation of antibody production, and the clearance of immune complexes. I am using model systems to investigate the role of Fc receptors expressed on particular cell types (eg B cells, neutrophils, macrophages), in the initiation and progression of glomerulonephritis. I am also investigating functional abnormalities in Fc receptor expression in patients with SLE.

Clinical Research

We have a large cohort of patients with glomerulonephritis in our clinics, and we are studying disease phenotypes and outcomes of treatment in these patients. I am also investigating means of imaging glomerulonephritis non-invasively using MRI and Positron Emission Tomography.