Understanding how kidney toxins and sex affect kidney disease in Alport syndrome
Official title: Intersection of Uremic Toxins and Biological Sex in Chronic Kidney Disease Progression
Funded at Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst · NIH-11386613 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why some kids with Alport syndrome have faster kidney decline and whether sex (male or female) changes the impact of waste products that build up when the kidneys don’t work well.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $411,234 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121293-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386613 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with Alport syndrome or similar hereditary kidney diseases who are at risk of CKD progression and could contribute data or samples in translational steps.
✕Less likely to help
Children without Alport syndrome or related pediatric kidney diseases may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Kidney disease in children, especially from Alport syndrome, can progress to kidney failure and shorten lives. The study explores how uremic toxins accumulate as CKD worsens and how these toxins interact with biological sex to influence disease progression, using animal models that resemble the human condition. By examining toxin effects on kidney biology and sex-specific pathways, researchers aim to uncover mechanisms that drive progression. The findings could point to new approaches to slow CKD progression in affected children. The work builds on earlier mouse studies showing male-specific toxin effects and seeks to clarify sex differences in humans as well.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to sex-tailored strategies to slow CKD progression in children with Alport syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Prior mouse studies suggest sex differences exist in toxin-related CKD progression, indicating potential for meaningful progress in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alge, Joseph Lee — Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Alge, Joseph Lee
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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.