How immune cells are directed to the kidney's filtering units
A new paradigm of glomerular immune cell homing
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · NIH-11238873
This work looks at how immune cells travel to and act in the kidney's tiny filters to help people with diabetic kidney disease and lupus nephritis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11238873 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will study the signals and cells that guide immune cells to the glomerulus, the kidney's filtering unit, with a focus on macula densa cells that sit where blood enters the filter. They will map the molecules these cells release and how those signals attract or repel circulating and resident immune cells. The team will use tissue samples, cell-based experiments, and disease models relevant to diabetic kidney disease and lupus nephritis to trace these pathways. Findings will be used to inform repurposing existing drugs and designing new anti-inflammatory treatments for kidney inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with diabetic kidney disease or lupus nephritis who might donate samples or be eligible for future clinical studies based on these findings.
Not a fit: People with non-inflammatory kidney conditions, end-stage kidney disease on long-term dialysis, or kidney problems unrelated to glomerular inflammation are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new or repurposed anti-inflammatory treatments that better protect the kidney filter in diseases like diabetic kidney disease and lupus nephritis.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior work targeting immune pathways in kidney disease has shown benefit, but focusing on macula densa–driven immune cell homing is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Los Angeles, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PETI-PETERDI, JANOS — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- Study coordinator: PETI-PETERDI, JANOS
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.
Conditions: Bright Disease