Diseases of the glomerulus, the anatomic filtering structure within the kidney, account for over 60% of all cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a major health malady worldwide. Prominent among these are diabetic nephropathy, Goodpasture syndrome and Alport syndrome. Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause accounting for about 40% of new cases of ESRD in the U.S. All three diseases involve alterations in the collagen IV networks that comprise the mesangial matrix and glomerular basement membrane.
Two specific aims focus on deciphering fundamental mechanisms of the assembly of collagen IV networks to gain insight into structure-function relationships that underlie kidney function and dysfunction.
The third aim focuses on strengthening the research environment of Tennessee State University and exposing students to biomedical research. The achievement of the proposed aims will have a substantial impact for understanding the assembly and stabilization of collagen IV networks that are essential for cell interactions which underlie basement membrane function in all tissues. Moreover, the achievement will establish a new research focus at Tennessee State University on renal biology and diabetic renal disease, and expose underrepresented minority students to biomedical research in diabetes.

Public Health Relevance

Two specific aims of the present grant application focus on deciphering fundamental mechanisms of the assembly of collagen IV networks to gain insight into structure-function relationships that underlie kidney function and dysfunction.
The third aim focuses on strengthening the research environment of Tennessee State University and exposing students to biomedical research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15)
Project #
1R15DK091009-01
Application #
8038175
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Kidney Study Section (CMBK)
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2011-09-05
Project End
2014-08-31
Budget Start
2011-09-05
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$442,698
Indirect Cost
Name
Tennessee State University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
108814179
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37209
Amara, Suneetha; Lopez, Karina; Banan, Babak et al. (2015) Synergistic effect of pro-inflammatory TNF? and IL-17 in periostin mediated collagen deposition: potential role in liver fibrosis. Mol Immunol 64:26-35
Fidler, Aaron L; Vanacore, Roberto M; Chetyrkin, Sergei V et al. (2014) A unique covalent bond in basement membrane is a primordial innovation for tissue evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:331-6