How nerves and blood vessels help kidneys develop
Trophic interactions directing proper kidney development
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11226216
This work looks at whether connections between nerves and blood vessels help growing kidneys make the right number of filtering units, which could matter for people at risk of kidney problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11226216 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are studying how nerve fibers and the kidney's blood vessels grow together and guide each other during development. They track when nerves first enter the developing kidney and how those nerves follow arteries and vascular smooth muscle cells. In lab models they use genetic tools to remove kidney innervation and then measure effects on the number of nephrons (the kidney's filtering units). The goal is to link these basic findings to conditions where low nephron number or abnormal kidney development raises disease risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with congenital kidney malformations or a strong family history of early-onset kidney disease would be most relevant to this line of research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatments for existing chronic kidney disease or unrelated conditions are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to protect or improve kidney development and reduce long-term risk of kidney disease.
How similar studies have performed: Studies in other organs have shown nerves can shape development and regeneration, but applying these findings to kidney development is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL — CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'BRIEN, LORI L — UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- Study coordinator: O'BRIEN, LORI L
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.