Neuroimmune control of kidney injury using noninvasive ultrasound
Official title: Neuroimmune Regulation of Acute Kidney Injury
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11449889 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach uses targeted ultrasound to gently stimulate nerves and immune signals to help the kidney recover after injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $806,269 |
| NIH project number | 2R01DK123248-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449889 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with acute kidney injury or at risk for acute kidney damage who could participate in future translational steps or related human studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without kidney injury or risk factors are unlikely to benefit from this specific mechanistic research.
What this research studies
This project explores how noninvasive pulsed ultrasound can activate nerve pathways that calm inflammation and protect the kidneys in both mice and people. Researchers will test how ultrasound triggers Piezo1 and Piezo2 sensors in immune and nerve cells to reduce acute kidney injury and later scarring. The work builds on prior findings that spleen-targeted ultrasound can prevent kidney injury and will look at the creamy details of the mechanisms and how it might affect the progression to chronic kidney disease. The study aims to translate mechanistic insights into potential new therapies that leverage the body's own anti-inflammatory reflexes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non-drug therapy to reduce kidney inflammation and injury, potentially limiting progression to chronic kidney disease.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show that spleen-targeted ultrasound can prevent kidney injury in animal models, supporting the potential for translation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Okusa, Mark Douglas — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Okusa, Mark Douglas
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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.