How aging changes the kidney's control of blood pressure
Regulation of kidney function and blood pressure in aging
This work looks at whether tiny kidney-derived particles called renal stem cell exosomes help keep kidneys working and blood pressure normal in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321218 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As people age, kidney function and blood pressure control often worsen, and this project focuses on a possible cause: changes in renal stem cell-derived exosomes. The team will isolate these exosomes and study how they affect kidney cells and salt handling using laboratory and physiological models. They will compare exosome levels and effects in younger versus older systems to see if reduced exosomes link to age-related salt sensitivity and hypertension. Findings will aim to clarify whether restoring or targeting these exosomes could prevent or reverse age-related kidney problems and high blood pressure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People older adults with age-related kidney dysfunction or salt-sensitive hypertension would be the most relevant candidates for follow-up studies or future therapies.
Not a fit: Patients whose blood pressure problems are unrelated to kidney salt handling or who are younger without age-related kidney changes may not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent or treat age-related kidney decline and salt-sensitive high blood pressure by targeting exosomes.
How similar studies have performed: Some preclinical research shows exosomes can influence kidney cells, but applying renal stem cell exosomes to age-related salt sensitivity and hypertension is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Zhongjie — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Sun, Zhongjie
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.