How FGF23 hormone fragments affect kidney disease, anemia, and heart health
Official title: Role of FGF23 peptides in chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11240272 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores whether different fragments of the hormone FGF23 made by bone and blood change iron levels, anemia, and heart risk in people with chronic kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $662,565 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132657-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11240272 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults with chronic kidney disease, especially those with anemia or abnormal iron markers who can provide blood samples and medical history.
✕Less likely to help
People without kidney disease or whose anemia has a proven non-FGF23 cause are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
You will hear about research looking at pieces of a bone hormone called FGF23 that rise in chronic kidney disease. The team measures full-length FGF23 and its C-terminal and N-terminal fragments in blood and tissues from people with CKD and in animal models, and tracks how these fragments affect the liver hormone hepcidin, iron levels, and red blood cell production. They also examine whether FGF23 fragments come from blood cell precursors (erythroid cells) and how that relates to anemia and heart-related damage. If you have CKD and anemia, the study helps researchers link specific hormone fragments to symptoms and possible new treatment targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to treat anemia and lower heart risk in people with CKD by targeting specific FGF23 fragments.
How similar studies have gone: Full-length FGF23 is known to affect phosphate balance and link to worse outcomes, but targeting the separate peptide fragments is a newer idea supported so far mainly by early animal and patient data.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: David, Nicolae Valentin — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: David, Nicolae Valentin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Racial and ethnic disparities in kidney disease progression and onset
Aimed at understanding why Black adults with or at risk for chronic kidney disease experience different outcomes and onset ages compared with other groups.
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Investigating the role of FGF23 peptides in chronic kidney disease
This study is looking at how a hormone called FGF23, which comes from your bones, affects people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and aims to find better ways to treat related health problems like heart issues and anemia.
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Chronic Kidney Disease in Children: following young people as they grow up with CKD
A long-term study in kids with chronic kidney disease tracks kidney function and heart health as they transition into adulthood.
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Chronic Kidney Disease in Children follow-up study
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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.