LRP1 and the kidney's filtering cells (podocytes)
Role of LRP1 in Podocyte Biology
This project tests whether fixing the LRP1 protein can protect kidney filter cells (podocytes) and help people with chronic kidney disease caused by podocyte damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11365854 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers are studying how the LRP1 protein keeps podocytes — the cells that help filter blood in the kidney — working properly. They made mice that lack LRP1 in podocytes to see how that leads to protein in the urine and kidney damage. The team will explore how LRP1 affects DNA repair pathways (including genes Setd1a and Lig4) in these cells. They will also try an existing LRP1-activating drug called SP16 in mouse models of glomerular injury to see if it reduces damage and preserves kidney function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with proteinuric glomerular diseases caused by podocyte injury (for example focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or other proteinuric CKD) would be the most likely candidates for future human trials from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose kidney failure is driven mainly by non-podocyte causes (for example vascular or tubular disorders) may not benefit from therapies targeting LRP1.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that protect podocytes and slow or prevent progression to end-stage kidney disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies link LRP1 to podocyte health and show that loss of LRP1 causes proteinuria, but testing an LRP1 agonist like SP16 for glomerular disease is relatively new and remains preclinical.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ishibe, Shuta — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Ishibe, Shuta
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.