How Pax8 and Hnf4a genes affect kidney damage after low blood flow
Pax8-Hnf4a co-regulation in ischemic kidney injury
['FUNDING_R03'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11166297
This work looks at whether changing the Pax8 gene in kidney tubule cells can help protect people from ischemic acute kidney injury.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R03'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11166297 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, researchers are exploring why the kidney's proximal tubule is vulnerable to low blood flow and oxygen. They reduce Pax8 activity in tubule cells in lab models, compare which genes switch on or off, and map how Pax8 interacts with the Hnf4a regulator. The team uses transcriptome analyses and chromatin-binding data to see which metabolic pathways change when Pax8 is altered. The goal is to find molecular steps that could become targets for future treatments to prevent or lessen ischemic AKI.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had ischemic acute kidney injury or who are at high risk for AKI (for example after major surgery or severe low blood pressure) would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate therapy or those with chronic kidney disease from non-ischemic causes are unlikely to get direct benefit from this early laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new molecular targets that lead to therapies to prevent or reduce damage from ischemic acute kidney injury.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work from the group showed that lowering Pax8 produced proximal tubule cells more resistant to injury, but linking Pax8 function to Hnf4a-regulated metabolic genes is a new direction.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BEAMISH, JEFFREY ALAN — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: BEAMISH, JEFFREY ALAN
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.