Of all the proteins in human urine, Tamm-Horsfall protein (abbreviated as THP;also named uromodulin) is by far the most abundant. THP is made by kidneys'functionally specialized epithelial cells comprising the thick ascending limb of loop o Henle. Despite its abundance, kidney-specificity and evolutionary conservation, questions about THP's function(s) remain. During the last funding period, we have made major progress in understanding not only the in vivo biological functions of THP, but also its involvement in kidney diseases. Our approach has been to generate, using genetic engineering, knockout (KO) mice deficient for THP or transgenic mice expressing a point mutation of THP. We found that the THP KO mice are highly prone to experimental urinary tract infections by type 1-fimbriated E. coli;that they spontaneously develop intra-renal calcification consisting of calcium phosphate in the interstitial space of the renal papillae;and that they are more susceptible to experimental acute kidney injury than their wild-type counterparts. Additionally, we found that the transgenic mice expressing a THP mutation exhibit marked defects in tubular function and hyperuricemia. Importantly, the intra-renal calcification and hyperuricemia observed in our mouse models bear striking resemblances to certain types of idiopathic kidney stones and hereditary hyperuricemic nephropathies in humans, respectively. The main goal of this renewal proposal is to significantly expand and deepen our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms whereby defects of THP lead to human-relevant disease conditions. Specifically, we will investigate how interstitial calcification in THP KO mice originate and evolve in a spatial and temporal manner by performing ultra-structural and chemical and protein composition analyses. We will examine how renal epithelial cells uptake the intratubular crystals and how this leads to cytotoxicity. We will determine whether formation of bona-fide kidney stones in THP KO mice relies on urinary super saturation of calcium phosphate or calcium oxalate by generating compound, genetically engineered mice that naturally develop these conditions. Finally, we will determine the in vivo effects of specific chemical chaperones in relieving the pathological effects of human-relevant THP mutation, utilizing the transgenic models we recently generated. Together, these four interconnected series of studies should have a major impact on understanding the biological functions and disease contributions of THP and offer insights into how THP-associated kidney diseases can be better managed clinically.

Public Health Relevance

Although defects of Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP), a kidney-specific protein, are associated with several major renal conditions such as kidney stone and high blood uric acid, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In- depth studies have been designed in this renewal proposal to significantly improve the understanding of the functions and disease implications of THP, with future impact on diagnosis and therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01DK056903-11A1S1
Application #
8785878
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (UGPP)
Program Officer
Mullins, Christopher V
Project Start
2014-01-01
Project End
2015-12-31
Budget Start
2014-01-01
Budget End
2015-12-31
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$83,911
Indirect Cost
$34,406
Name
New York University
Department
Urology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
121911077
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016
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El-Achkar, Tarek M; McCracken, Ruth; Liu, Yan et al. (2013) Tamm-Horsfall protein translocates to the basolateral domain of thick ascending limbs, interstitium, and circulation during recovery from acute kidney injury. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 304:F1066-75
Kisiela, Dagmara I; Rodriguez, Victoria B; Tchesnokova, Veronika et al. (2013) Conformational inactivation induces immunogenicity of the receptor-binding pocket of a bacterial adhesin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:19089-94

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