Understanding how protein balance in kidney cells affects kidney injury
Official title: Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein Homeostasis in Renal Physiology and Acute Kidney Injury
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11062498 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a process in our cells that helps manage stress affects kidney health during serious injuries, which could lead to new ways to protect and help people recover their kidneys.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $162,540 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DK136914-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062498 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research are adults aged 21 and older who are at risk for acute kidney injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic kidney disease or those who do not have acute kidney injury may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in acute kidney injury (AKI), a serious condition affecting many hospitalized patients. By using a specialized mouse model, researchers will explore how the endoplasmic reticulum's ability to manage protein stress impacts kidney cell survival during injury. The study aims to identify the mechanisms by which UPR activation can lead to kidney damage, potentially paving the way for new therapeutic strategies. Patients may benefit from insights gained into kidney protection and recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that better protect kidney function during acute injury.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the UPR's role in various stress responses, but this specific approach to AKI is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porter, Aidan — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Porter, Aidan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
SEAK Alliance: Improving Care for AKI Patients in the Southeast
A national, patient-centered effort to improve post-hospital care for people who had acute kidney injury in the Southeast.
-
AKI-related delirium after heart surgery
This grant funds research to understand why some people develop delirium after heart surgery when they also have acute kidney injury.
-
Better ways to identify types of sudden kidney injury in U.S. Veterans
Researchers are looking for genetic and health patterns that define different types of sudden severe kidney injury in Veterans to help guide future care.
-
Neuroimmune control of kidney injury using noninvasive ultrasound
A new approach uses targeted ultrasound to gently stimulate nerves and immune signals to help the kidney recover after injury.
-
Structure-based approach to prevent kidney injury from polymyxin use
Aims to block how polymyxin damages the kidney so it can be used more safely to treat hard-to-kill infections.
-
Using smart computer predictions to prevent kidney injury after heart surgery
A machine-learning approach uses routinely collected hospital data to predict who might develop acute kidney injury after heart surgery, so clinicians can act early.
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.