Stopping damaging signals between kidney filter cells and blood-vessel cells in FSGS
Targeting Podocyte-Endothelial Cell Crosstalk as a FSGS Therapy
This project aims to block harmful communication between kidney filter cells and nearby blood-vessel cells to help adults with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332888 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone with FSGS, you might be asked to provide kidney tissue, blood, or medical data so researchers can study real patient samples. They will use computer analyses of those samples to identify chemical signals sent from podocytes (filter cells) to glomerular endothelial cells (nearby blood-vessel cells). The team will recreate those signals in laboratory cell systems and animal models to see how pathways like cell-aging secretions (SASP) and inflammasome/CASP1 activation damage endothelial cells. Finally, they will test approaches to block the harmful signals and determine whether that prevents or reduces the cell damage linked to worsening FSGS.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), especially those with biopsy-confirmed disease or ongoing proteinuria, are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Children under 21, people without FSGS, or those with end-stage kidney disease already on dialysis are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent kidney scarring and progression to chronic kidney disease in people with FSGS.
How similar studies have performed: Related research supports a role for endothelial injury and inflammasome pathways in kidney disease, but directly targeting podocyte-to-endothelial signaling in FSGS is a relatively new and exploratory approach.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shankland, Stuart James — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Shankland, Stuart James
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.