Megalin and how sudden kidney injury can lead to chronic kidney disease
Official title: Megalin, and transition from AKI to CKD
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-11213963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether changes in a kidney protein called megalin affect recovery after sudden kidney injury and the chance of developing long-term kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2014 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX002006-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11213963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who recently experienced acute kidney injury or who are at high risk of progressing to chronic kidney disease would be the most relevant candidates for related future trials or to donate samples now.
✕Less likely to help
People without kidney injury or whose kidney disease arises from unrelated causes are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
If you've had a sudden drop in kidney function (acute kidney injury), this research explores why some people recover while others progress to chronic kidney disease. The team uses genetic animal models and lab studies of kidney cells and mitochondria to see how megalin, a protein that helps cells take up molecules, influences inflammation, fibrosis, and cellular energy. They remove megalin specifically in kidney tubule cells to study effects on TGF-β1 handling, lysosomal function, mitochondrial respiration, and markers of tissue scarring over time. Results could point to biomarkers or treatment targets to test in people later on.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to prevent or slow the transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease, leading to protective treatments or diagnostic tests.
How similar studies have gone: There are promising preclinical studies suggesting megalin affects mitochondrial health and kidney injury, but this approach remains at the laboratory and animal stage without proven clinical treatments yet.
Where this research is happening
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Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheikh-Hamad, David — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sheikh-Hamad, David
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.