How kidney filter cells keep their shape and recover after injury
Molecular Determinants of Kidney Podocyte Architecture in Health, Injury, and Recovery
['FUNDING_R01'] · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11190638
This project looks at how tiny parts of kidney filter cells (podocytes) control their shape and change after injury to help people with glomerular diseases that cause protein loss and kidney failure.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DALLAS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11190638 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my point of view as a patient, the team uses advanced 3D super-resolution imaging to watch the internal scaffolding (actin cables) inside podocytes in healthy and injured tissue. They compare where non-contractile and contractile actin cables sit in normal cells versus areas where the podocyte foot processes have collapsed. The researchers will probe the specific molecules that control those different actin structures and how they move toward the filtering membrane after damage. Their work combines detailed microscopy with molecular experiments to map the steps that lead to podocyte injury and recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with podocytopathies or proteinuric glomerular diseases (for example nephrotic syndrome or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) who could donate tissue or clinical data for research.
Not a fit: Patients whose kidney problems come from non-podocyte causes (for example isolated tubular disorders) or people already on long-term dialysis are less likely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to prevent or reverse podocyte injury and reduce progression to kidney failure.
How similar studies have performed: Prior super-resolution imaging work by the team has already shown distinct actin patterns in healthy and injured podocytes, but translating those findings into therapies is still novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
DALLAS, UNITED STATES
- UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER — DALLAS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SULEIMAN, HANI — UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: SULEIMAN, HANI
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.