Role Of The Podocyte In Diabetic Nephropathy: Structural, Functional, Molecular And Interventional Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,036.00
Summary
Kidney disease is a major cause of disability and premature death in the Australian population. In disease the kidney's ability to filter out impurities and toxins in blood is impaired as a consequence of excessive cell growth and scar tissue formation. Studies from our group indicate that a highly specialised cell within the kidney's filtering apparatus becomes altered early in the course of diabetes. In the setting of diabetes, this cell, called the podocyte, stretches and begins forming scar ....Kidney disease is a major cause of disability and premature death in the Australian population. In disease the kidney's ability to filter out impurities and toxins in blood is impaired as a consequence of excessive cell growth and scar tissue formation. Studies from our group indicate that a highly specialised cell within the kidney's filtering apparatus becomes altered early in the course of diabetes. In the setting of diabetes, this cell, called the podocyte, stretches and begins forming scar tissue. In addition, it no longer maintains its barrier function and starts to leak protein. The proposed studies will explore the mechanisms that lead to these diabetes-induced changes in the podocyte. In addition, strategies for reversing these changes will also be explored in detail with the aim of providing new treatments for diabetic kidney disease.Read moreRead less
Role Of Vasoactive Hormones And Cytokines In Diabetic Nephropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,650.00
Summary
Kidney disease is a major cause of disability and premature death in the Australian population. In diabetic kidney disease a major factor which accelerates the progression of this disorder is the presence of hypertension. Indeed international and national organisations now recommend aggressive blood pressure treatment in the diabetic patient. This proposal aims to optimise blood pressure treatment in diabetes and evaluate novel more potent blood pressure lowering agents which block within the ki ....Kidney disease is a major cause of disability and premature death in the Australian population. In diabetic kidney disease a major factor which accelerates the progression of this disorder is the presence of hypertension. Indeed international and national organisations now recommend aggressive blood pressure treatment in the diabetic patient. This proposal aims to optimise blood pressure treatment in diabetes and evaluate novel more potent blood pressure lowering agents which block within the kidney important hormonal pathways implicated in diabetic kidney disease. This approach will assist in determining key factors which mediate the damage to the kidney induced by elevated blood pressure. It is anticipated that these studies will lead to more rational, targeted and powerful antihypertensive agents which will retard or prevent the development of diabetic nephropathy.Read moreRead less
The role of SGK-1 and SGK-2 in hypertension and nephropathy in diabetes mellitus. The key objective is to define the suitability of the serum glucocorticoid regulated kinases -1 and -2 (SGK-1, -2) as novel drug discovery targets. A specific inhibitor targeting SGK-1 and -2 will be tested to determine if it reverses the enhanced sodium reabsorption and extracellular matrix production characteristic of progressive renal failure in in vitro models models of renal disease. These inhibitors present a ....The role of SGK-1 and SGK-2 in hypertension and nephropathy in diabetes mellitus. The key objective is to define the suitability of the serum glucocorticoid regulated kinases -1 and -2 (SGK-1, -2) as novel drug discovery targets. A specific inhibitor targeting SGK-1 and -2 will be tested to determine if it reverses the enhanced sodium reabsorption and extracellular matrix production characteristic of progressive renal failure in in vitro models models of renal disease. These inhibitors present an opportunity to control hypertension whilst simultaneously limiting fibrosis in the kidney. Renal failure is steadily increasing and is now the single largest health care cost to the community. These studies will provide the proof of concept required to ultimately bring this novel preventative therapy to the community.Read moreRead less