CH25H and 25‑hydroxycholesterol as potential protectors of diabetic kidneys
Official title: Protective role of CH25h/25-HC in diabetic kidney disease.
Funded at James J Peters VA Medical Center · NIH-11247597 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether a cholesterol-processing enzyme (CH25H) and its product 25‑HC protect the tiny blood vessels in kidneys damaged by diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James J Peters VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006837-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247597 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who have early signs of kidney damage (such as albumin in the urine) would be the most relevant group for eventual participation or benefit.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or those with very advanced, end-stage kidney disease are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research in the near term.
What this research studies
Researchers compared gene activity in kidney blood-vessel cells from animal models and human kidney samples and found CH25H strongly changed in early diabetic kidney disease. They used diabetic mice to test what happens when CH25H is removed and found its loss increased blood-vessel cell death, and giving 25‑HC to diabetic mice reduced kidney damage. The team combines animal experiments, cell-level studies, and molecular assays to understand how CH25H/25‑HC controls inflammation and survival of endothelial cells in diabetic kidneys. Their work is intended to identify pathways that could be targeted to protect kidney blood vessels and slow disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that protect kidney blood vessels and slow or prevent diabetic kidney disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked CH25H and 25‑HC to inflammation and vascular function but findings are mixed, so applying this pathway specifically to diabetic kidney disease is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
James J Peters VA Medical Center
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: He, John Cijiang — James J Peters VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: He, John Cijiang
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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.