Investigating how a protein affects sodium reabsorption and high blood pressure
Official title: Novel Role Of ACTN4 in Sodium Reabsorption and Salt-Sensitive Hypertension
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11000324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called ACTN4 affects the way your kidneys handle salt and blood pressure, especially for people who are sensitive to salt, to help find new ways to treat high blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $631,041 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171121-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11000324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with salt-sensitive hypertension or those at risk for developing high blood pressure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hypertension not related to sodium reabsorption or those with other underlying causes of high blood pressure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of a protein called ACTN4 in sodium reabsorption and its connection to salt-sensitive hypertension. Using advanced organ-on-chip technology, researchers will study how mutations in ACTN4 influence sodium handling in kidney cells. The study aims to determine how these mutations affect blood pressure regulation by altering the activity of sodium transporters in the kidneys. By examining these mechanisms, the research seeks to provide insights into potential new treatments for hypertension.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for managing salt-sensitive hypertension in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sodium transport mechanisms, but this specific approach using ACTN4 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feng, Di — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Feng, Di
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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.