How long-term activation of renin-producing cells changes kidney blood vessels
Project #1: Chronic stimulation of renin cells and transformation of the kidney vasculature
This project looks at how persistent stimulation of renin-producing cells can thicken small kidney arteries and lead to kidney damage, which matters for people on blood-pressure medicines or with renin-angiotensin system changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178648 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers study the kidney’s renin-producing (juxtaglomerular) cells to see how chronic stimulation causes smooth muscle cells in arterioles to change and narrow vessel lumens. They use laboratory models including animal experiments, cell studies, and targeted removal of renin cells to trace the steps that lead to vessel thickening, ischemia, fibrosis and kidney failure. The team compares these findings with observations relevant to humans, especially where long-term renin-angiotensin system inhibition or genetic changes are present. The goal is to map the cellular and molecular events so future treatments can prevent or reverse the vascular changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who might be most relevant include children, adolescents, or adults taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs long-term, or individuals with genetic alterations in the renin-angiotensin system who are at risk for renal vascular remodeling.
Not a fit: Patients whose kidney disease arises from unrelated mechanisms (for example, purely metabolic diabetic kidney disease without renin-angiotensin involvement) may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal why chronic renin stimulation or long-term RAS blocker use leads to arterial narrowing in the kidney and point to ways to prevent or reverse that damage.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and cell studies have shown that renin-cell changes can drive arteriole remodeling, but translating those findings into human treatments remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gomez, Roberto Ariel — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Gomez, Roberto Ariel
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.