How mechanical properties of podocytes affect kidney filter health
Mechanosensitive determinants of podocyte physiology
Looks at whether changes in the structure and stiffness of podocytes explain why some drugs cause protein to leak into the urine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248363 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project connects reports of drug-linked kidney filter damage to changes inside podocytes, the cells that help prevent protein loss. Researchers study human podocytes in the lab and use animal models to see how drugs that block protein kinases alter the cell skeleton, adhesions, and mechanical stiffness. They use high-resolution imaging, atomic force microscopy to measure cell mechanics, and single-cell gene and protein analyses to map the signaling changes. The team compares these lab findings with known drug adverse-event data and animal proteomic datasets to find markers of vulnerability.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have developed or are at risk for proteinuria while taking protein kinase inhibitor drugs, or patients with new unexplained albuminuria, would be the most relevant group for this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose kidney problems are solely from tubular injury, congenital structural kidney disorders, or non-glomerular metabolic causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify biomarkers or protective targets to predict, prevent, or treat drug-induced proteinuria and protect kidney filter function.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies have linked kinase inhibitors to podocyte cytoskeleton changes, but combining biomechanical measurements with single-cell transcriptomics and phosphoproteomics is a newer, integrative approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Azeloglu, Evren U. — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Azeloglu, Evren U.
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.