How Red Blood Cells Cause Kidney Damage After Injury
Red blood cell trapping mediates toxic kidney injury following ischemia
This project explores how red blood cells get stuck in the kidneys after an injury, which could lead to new ways to help people with acute kidney failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184460 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious condition that often happens after severe drops in blood pressure or shock, and currently, there are no effective treatments. Our team is looking into how red blood cells can get trapped in the kidney's tiny blood vessels, a process we call 'red blood cell trapping.' This trapping happens when blood can't drain properly from the kidney, causing the vessels to swell and damage the kidney tissue. We believe this process is a major cause of kidney damage early on after an injury. By understanding exactly how this trapping leads to harm, we hope to discover new ways to protect the kidneys and improve outcomes for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for patients who have experienced or are at risk of acute kidney injury due to conditions like severe hypotension or shock.
Not a fit: Patients without acute kidney injury or those whose kidney issues are not related to red blood cell trapping may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new treatments for acute kidney injury, a condition that currently has no effective therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Our recently published data indicate that red blood cell trapping causes significant kidney injury, suggesting this approach builds on existing evidence.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Paul Michael — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Paul Michael
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.