Immune causes of kidney disease in tuberous sclerosis
Official title: Mechanisms of immunosuppression in the development and progression of renal disease in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11324582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team is looking at whether immune cells and a protein called B7-H3 help kidney cysts and growths in people with tuberous sclerosis complex.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $523,592 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133243-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324582 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with genetically confirmed tuberous sclerosis complex who have kidney cysts, angiomyolipomas, or early renal disease and who can provide tissue samples or consider future clinical trials would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without tuberous sclerosis or whose kidney disease is caused by other conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers will study tissue from people with tuberous sclerosis to map immune cells and B7-H3 levels in kidney cysts and angiomyolipomas. In laboratory and animal models that mimic TSC, they will test how immunosuppressive macrophages and B7-H3 affect growth of cysts and tumors and how CD8+ T cells respond. The team will also try combination approaches that remove or reprogram macrophages and block B7-H3 to see if kidney disease can be slowed or reversed. Findings will guide whether these immune targets could move toward treatments for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to immune-based treatments that slow or shrink kidney cysts and angiomyolipomas in people with tuberous sclerosis, reducing kidney damage.
How similar studies have gone: While immune checkpoint and macrophage-targeting therapies have had success in some cancers, applying these approaches to TSC kidney disease is largely new and currently supported mainly by lab and animal studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henske, Elizabeth P — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Henske, Elizabeth P
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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.