Boosting a protective signal in kidney filter cells
Podocyte-specific Rap1 agonism for treatment of glomerular disease
Aims to raise a protective molecule called Rap1 inside podocytes to help people with proteinuric chronic kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311302 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers are working to strengthen a natural protective switch (Rap1) inside specialized kidney filter cells called podocytes. They will use drugs and genetic methods to increase Rap1 activity in cell cultures, animal models (including zebrafish), and examine human kidney samples from people with diseases like diabetic kidney disease. The team will test whether boosting Rap1 keeps podocytes healthy and reduces protein leaking into the urine. Their approach combines lab experiments with analysis of human tissue to guide possible future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with proteinuric kidney diseases, such as diabetic kidney disease or certain forms of nephrotic syndrome, whose podocytes are damaged.
Not a fit: People without proteinuria, whose kidney problems come from non-podocyte causes, or those already on dialysis are unlikely to get direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could protect kidney filter cells and slow or prevent worsening protein loss and progression of chronic kidney disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies showed that increasing Rap1 protected podocytes in short-term injury models, but this approach has not yet been developed into a human treatment.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaufman, Lewis — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Kaufman, Lewis
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 below.