How podocyte damage and aging work together to harm the kidneys
The Intersection of Podocyte Disease and Aging
This research looks at whether injury to specialized kidney cells called podocytes makes them age faster and worsens kidney disease in people with conditions like FSGS and in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326273 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study podocytes using experimental mouse models and kidney tissue or samples from people with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) to look for signs that cell injury triggers premature aging. They will compare young and older animals and examine human samples to find molecular changes tied to both injury and aging. The team will test specific mechanisms that could explain how injury amplifies aging in podocytes. Results will be used to point toward possible ways to slow podocyte aging and protect kidney function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with podocyte-related kidney disease such as FSGS, including younger people with FSGS and older adults with chronic kidney disease linked to podocyte injury.
Not a fit: People whose kidney problems are caused by non-podocyte mechanisms (for example primarily tubular or obstructive kidney disease) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets to slow podocyte aging and reduce progression to scarring and kidney failure in people with podocyte-related kidney disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies and preliminary observations in small groups of patients support a link between podocyte injury and cell aging, but translating those findings into therapies is a new direction.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shankland, Stuart James — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Shankland, Stuart James
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.