Blocking a kidney fibrotic pathway to protect kidneys in AKI
Official title: Integrin αVβ6-mediated activation of latent TGF-β2 in kidney fibrosis
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11441447 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, patient-friendly study looks at whether stopping a specific protein interaction can reduce kidney scarring after injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 6, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $133,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DK149304-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441447 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with acute kidney injury or recent kidney injury who are at risk of developing fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
People without kidney injury or fibrosis may not benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
This project examines how a molecule called integrin αVβ6 activates TGF-β2, which drives scarring in the kidney after acute injury. Researchers will use tissue samples and imaging to see where this activation happens and which cells are involved. If blocking this activation slows fibrosis, it could point to a new therapeutic approach to prevent progression to chronic kidney disease after an acute event.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce kidney scarring after acute injury, potentially lowering the risk of chronic kidney disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in animals showed that blocking TGF-β2 reduces fibrosis, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Le, Viet Quoc — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Le, Viet Quoc
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.