How podocytes get damaged in Alport syndrome and how to protect them
Official title: Mechanisms involved in podocyte damage in Alport Syndrome
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-11349618 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinician-science team at a children’s hospital is studying why kidney filtering cells called podocytes fail in Alport syndrome and how to keep them healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $587,996 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133459-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11349618 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Alport syndrome or AS-like hereditary nephritis who participate in related clinical or translational studies, or contribute tissue samples when appropriate.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alport syndrome or related nephropathies may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project uses a customized kidney model on a chip and special mice to watch podocytes as Alport syndrome progresses. It aims to uncover the molecular signals that cause podocytes to lose their attachment, re-enter the cell cycle, and die, with a focus on the role of miR-193a. By testing interventions that keep podocytes alive and maintain their interaction with the glomerular basement membrane, researchers hope to slow or halt kidney damage. The study combines in vivo mouse work with human cell systems to identify potential targets for therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to slow or reverse kidney damage in Alport syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in similar podocyte biology approaches has shown promise in understanding glomerular filtration barrier damage, but the exact mechanisms in Alport syndrome require confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perin, Laura — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Perin, Laura
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.