Repairing the kidney using AQP2-marked progenitor cells
Official title: The Regenerative Potential of Aqp2+ Progenitor Cells
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-11330209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing whether AQP2-marked kidney progenitor cells can regrow and repair damaged kidney tubule cells in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $469,061 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136554-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with tubular kidney injury or chronic kidney disease who can provide biopsy or surgical tissue for research or who may later qualify for trials based on these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose kidney problems are primarily glomerular disease or systemic conditions unrelated to tubular cell loss may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks for and studies a specific subset of kidney cells (AQP2-positive cells) that act like progenitors and can make multiple cell types in the kidney tubules. The team will show these cells can self-renew, form colonies, and replace lost cell types during normal maintenance and after injury using laboratory models and tissue analyses. They will track molecular markers (including V-ATPase subunits and Notch pathway components) to see how these cells contribute to repair. The work aims to link what is seen in lab models to human kidney tissue to inform future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to regenerative approaches that restore damaged kidney tubules and reduce dependence on dialysis or transplantation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal and cell-based studies have shown kidney cells can regenerate and some markers are promising, but translating AQP2+ progenitor findings into human therapies remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Wenzheng — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Wenzheng
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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.