New inflammation pathway in diabetic kidney disease
Official title: A new inflammation pathway in diabetic kidney disease
Funded at University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · NIH-11361566 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how inflammation in the kidney of people with diabetes may be reduced by targeting a key cell that produces inflammatory signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $513,171 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK142617-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361566 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would be adults with diabetic kidney disease or individuals at risk due to diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without kidney inflammation related to diabetes or those not fitting the study criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
Diabetic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, and inflammation seems to drive this damage. The study focuses on glomerular mesangial cells in the kidney and how they produce inflammatory chemicals. It looks at a transcription modulator called I-mfa and how it affects calcium signaling and cytokine production in human and mouse cells. The researchers have some early findings suggesting that manipulating I-mfa and store-operated calcium channels may reduce harmful inflammation. If successful, this could pave the way for therapies to protect kidneys in diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, it could lead to new treatments that reduce kidney inflammation and slow progression to kidney failure in people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show that adjusting I-mfa levels and calcium signaling may alter inflammatory cytokine production in kidney cells, with some in vivo observations in mice.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Rong — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Ma, Rong
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Non-canonical NF-kB and inflammation in diabetic kidney disease
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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.