Kidney blood vessel damage in sickle cell disease
Renal endothelium and the development of chronic kidney disease in sickle cell disorders
This project examines whether heme from broken-down red blood cells damages tiny kidney blood vessels and leads to chronic kidney disease in adults with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319710 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
People with sickle cell disease commonly develop chronic kidney disease, and this project focuses on how hemolysis (broken red blood cells) and the released heme harm the kidney's microvascular lining. The team will measure endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and its soluble form (sEPCR) in blood and tissues, use super-resolution ultrasound to image small-vessel changes in mice, and test how heme-driven P‑selectin promotes vascular congestion and albuminuria. Researchers combine mouse experiments with analysis of human samples to connect molecular changes to clinical signs of kidney injury. The goal is to identify biomarkers and pathways that could guide future treatments to protect kidney blood vessels.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with sickle cell disease, particularly those showing early kidney injury such as albuminuria or reduced glomerular filtration, would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical follow-up or trials.
Not a fit: People without sickle cell disease or those whose kidney disease stems from unrelated causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biomarkers or molecular targets that help detect, prevent, or slow kidney damage in people with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked hemolysis and vascular injury to kidney disease in sickle cell disease, but focusing on EPCR loss and heme-driven endothelial dysfunction is a newer, translational approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghosh, Samit — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ghosh, Samit
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.