Why kidneys scar after injury
Molecular Mechanisms of Kidney Fibrosis
Researchers are studying how specific proteins in kidney tubule cells drive inflammation and scarring after acute kidney injury to help people at risk of chronic kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212810 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on proximal tubule epithelial cells—the kidney cells most harmed by acute injury—and how they trigger inflammation and scarring (fibrosis). Scientists are examining two receptors, RON and TGF-β receptor II, to see how RON adds phosphate groups to TGF-β receptor II and turns on pro-fibrotic signals. The team will use laboratory cell models, animal models, and analysis of human-derived samples to map which tyrosines control these signals and how blocking RON changes fibrosis pathways. The findings aim to point to molecular targets that could be used to develop treatments preventing progression from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have recently experienced acute kidney injury or who are at high risk of progressing to chronic kidney disease would be the most relevant patient group for future therapies arising from this work.
Not a fit: People without prior kidney injury or those whose kidney problems are caused by non-fibrotic mechanisms are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this lab-focused research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets that prevent or slow the kidney scarring that leads to chronic kidney disease after acute injury.
How similar studies have performed: TGF-β signaling is a well-established driver of kidney fibrosis in prior preclinical work, but the specific role of RON-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of TβRII is a newer mechanistic idea still mainly tested in laboratory models.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pozzi, Ambra — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Pozzi, Ambra
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.