How the KLF15 protein affects energy use and recovery in kidney tubule cells
Official title: Role of KLF15 in proximal tubule metabolism
Funded at Northport VA Medical Center · NIH-11212811 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether KLF15 helps kidney tubule cells recover after injury to reduce long-term scarring and chronic kidney damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northport VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Northport, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2018 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX003698-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11212811 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who recently had acute kidney injury or who have early-stage chronic kidney disease—particularly U.S. Veterans treated at the Northport VA—would be the most relevant candidates for future related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis or kidney problems not driven by proximal tubule injury are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this line of research.
What this research studies
This project studies a kidney-focused protein called KLF15 and how it controls metabolism in proximal tubule cells after injury. Researchers manipulate KLF15 levels in laboratory-grown kidney cells and in mouse models to see how it changes fatty acid breakdown, cell cycle behavior, and signals that lead to scarring. They compare these effects with approaches that boost fatty acid oxidation such as PPARα activation to see if KLF15 adds protection. The work aims to identify biological steps that could be targeted to stop acute kidney injury from progressing to chronic kidney disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new treatments that protect kidneys after acute injury and lower the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
How similar studies have gone: Mouse studies restoring fatty acid oxidation through PPARα have reduced AKI-to-CKD progression, but targeting KLF15 is a newer approach with less prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
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Northport VA Medical Center
Northport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mallipattu, Sandeep K — Northport VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mallipattu, Sandeep K
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.