New mechanisms behind kidney inflammation and scarring
Novel mechanisms of kidney inflammation and fibrosis
This work looks at how a protein called PU.1 drives inflammation and scarring in chronic kidney disease to find new ways to stop kidney damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249120 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how the protein PU.1 activates immune cells called macrophages and leads to kidney inflammation and fibrosis. They use animal models with genetic deletion of PU.1 and drugs that block PU.1 to see whether macrophage activation and scarring are reduced. The team also analyzes human kidney tissue and uses methods like ChIP-seq to map how PU.1 controls inflammatory genes. The overall aim is to identify targets that could be turned into treatments to slow or prevent CKD progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic kidney disease, particularly those with evidence of inflammation or progressive fibrosis or who can donate kidney tissue samples, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People whose kidney problems are not driven by inflammation-related fibrosis or those with established end-stage kidney failure may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that reduce kidney inflammation and scarring and slow chronic kidney disease progression.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies, including genetic removal and drug blocking of PU.1, have reduced macrophage activation and fibrosis, but moving this into human therapies is still early.
Where this research is happening
Farmington, United States
- University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt — Farmington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Yanlin — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Wang, Yanlin
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.