Uromodulin and peptides as new targets in kidney stone biology
Official title: Uromodulin polymerization and peptides as novel targets in kidney stone pathogenesis
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11433374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how a urine protein called uromodulin and its peptide pieces influence calcium oxalate kidney stones, using dogs and human biology to understand why stones form and how to prevent them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $821,457 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK148878-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11433374 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones or those at high risk, and pet dogs with similar stone risk may contribute to research.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals without kidney stone risk factors may not directly benefit from this work.
What this research studies
Kidney stones affect millions and costs are high. This project studies how uromodulin polymerization and its peptides affect kidney stone formation, with pet dogs serving as a natural model that mirrors human stone risk. The team will examine how uromodulin status changes kidney transporters and the inflammatory response during crystallization, aiming to uncover new biological pathways. Findings could guide the development of better preventive strategies for people who struggle with stones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new ways to prevent calcium oxalate stones in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in humans and dogs suggest uromodulin plays a role in stone risk, supporting the potential for meaningful advances.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Furrow, Eva — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Furrow, Eva
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Oxalate‑eating probiotic to help prevent kidney stones
A new probiotic strain is being developed to help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones by breaking down oxalic acid in the gut.
-
Oxalate and your immune system in kidney stones
This grant looks at how oxalate in our diet affects kidney stone risk and our immune cells, especially in adults with calcium oxalate stones.
-
How the kidney channel claudin‑2 affects calcium balance and calcium kidney stones
This project looks at how a kidney channel called claudin‑2 helps keep calcium from building up and forming calcium kidney stones.
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Oxalate balance in people with calcium oxalate kidney stones
This project will find out why some adults make or absorb extra oxalate that increases the chance of calcium oxalate kidney stones.
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A Probiotic to Prevent Kidney Stones
This project is developing a new probiotic to help people prevent kidney stones by breaking down a key substance called oxalic acid.
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Understanding how oxalate affects kidney stone formation and immune response
This study is looking at how eating foods high in oxalate might lead to kidney stones and how it affects kidney health, so if you've had kidney stones before, this research could help find ways to prevent them from coming back.
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.