Scientists find a protective gene for chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, the mechanisms behind the persistent kidney injury in CKD are still unclear.
A new study from Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine could change that, offering new insights into the progression of kidney damage and a promising target for future therapies.
The novel finding: TMIGD1 gene
Researchers have discovered a protective gene called TMIGD1 that plays a critical role in kidney health.
According to Vipul Chitalia, MD, Ph.D., the study’s corresponding author, “The novelty of our discovery lies in the contribution of the TMIGD1 gene to kidney failure.”
Mechanism of kidney damage
Using various cellular and experimental models, the study showed that inactivation of the TMIGD1 gene made the models more susceptible to kidney damage.
Additionally, the study also outlined how toxins contribute to kidney failure. The accumulation of toxins that typically accompany kidney damage appeared to further worsen kidney function by affecting the TMIGD1 gene.
Implications for treatment
Understanding the role of TMIGD1 in kidney health could be crucial for CKD treatment.
“This new gene can be used both as a therapeutic target and as a screening tool for kidney damage,” said Wenqing Yin, MD, Ph.D., one of the study’s lead authors.
The team hopes this discovery could pave the way for the development of new treatments and prevention strategies, potentially reducing the number of cases that progress to end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis.
Future directions
Given these results, researchers are optimistic about the potential for new treatment modalities that specifically target the TMIGD1 gene. The discovery could also lead to better screening methods to detect CKD earlier.
If kidney health is important to you, please see Studies on Drugs That Prevent Kidney Failure in Diabetes and Drinking coffee could help reduce the risk of kidney damage.
For more information on kidney health, see recent studies on Foods that can prevent kidney stones from coming backand common painkillers can damage your heart, kidneys, and more.
The research results can be found In The American Journal of Pathology.
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