Stopping harmful protein traffic in kidney filter cells caused by diabetes
Targeting dynein-mediated trafficking in diabetic podocytopathy
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · NIH-11324613
Researchers aim to block abnormal transport inside kidney filtration cells to help people with diabetes avoid early kidney damage.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF IOWA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11324613 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project looks at how high blood sugar changes a cellular motor called dynein in podocytes, the cells that help filter blood in the kidney. Scientists will track how dynein-driven traffic misplaces important proteins at the slit diaphragm and how that leads to protein leakage in diabetes. They will use lab-grown cells and animal models to test which steps in this trafficking process can be fixed or blocked. The team will identify specific molecules that could become targets for medicines to prevent diabetic kidney injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with diabetes who have early signs of kidney involvement, such as proteinuria or other markers of podocyte injury, would be the most likely future candidates for treatments arising from this work.
Not a fit: People without diabetes or those with advanced, established end-stage kidney disease are unlikely to benefit directly from this early-stage research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that prevent or slow early diabetic kidney damage rather than just delaying progression.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked dynein to cellular transport and podocyte biology, but targeting dynein-mediated trafficking to prevent diabetic podocyte injury is a relatively new and preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF IOWA — IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SUN, HUA — UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- Study coordinator: SUN, HUA
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.