Open Funding 2010

Institution:

Southmead Hospital, Bristol

Recipient:

Dr Gavin Welsh

Project:

Humanin (and related bioactive peptides) - a novel treatment for diabetic nephropathy

Summary:

Diabetes is the most common cause of end stage renal failure (ESRF) in the developed world. Although the link between diabetes and kidney failure is not understood, the progression of diabetic nephropathy follows a predictable clinical course. Initially, in early diabetic nephropathy the kidneys leak small amounts of protein (microalbuminuria), and as the kidneys deteriorate further (progressive nephropathy) this amount increases (overt albuminuria).
The kidney's filters consist of two cell types called podocytes and endothelial cells which interact together to form the filter. We can grow both cell types within our laboratory and the major aim of our laboratory is to understand how these cells interact and communicate with each other to form the filter in a healthy individual, and how this healthy state is disrupted during diabetes. In collaboration with Desmond Mascarenhas, (Mayflower Organization for Research & Education, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) we have become interested in the possible beneficial actions of the neuroprotective peptide humanin on the kidney. Dr. Mascarenhas has shown that this compound can markedly reduce protein loss (albuminuria) in an animal model of diabetes. This proposed work focuses on understanding the actions of humanin and other related bioactive peptides (being developed by Dr. Mascharenas) in treating the disturbances in the filtration function of the kidney seen in diabetes.

Amount:

£16,360