A group of physician scientists at Indiana University School of Medicine has achieved notable progress in mapping kidney cells, which could potentially enable more precise disease diagnosis in the future.
This study, published in Science Advances, is part of a larger collaborative initiative led by IU School of Medicine aimed at identifying and characterizing the various cell types found within the human kidney.
Science Advances"Gaining insights into how different kidney cell populations organize spatially and interact within molecular neighborhoods will allow us to establish a clearer timeline of kidney disease progression based on molecular characteristics," said Tarek M. Ashkar (El-Achkar), MD, corresponding author and the Terence P. Kahn Professor of Nephrology at IU School of Medicine.
"This understanding could reveal better biomarkers and therapeutic targets that align with the correct pathology at each stage of disease, ultimately letting us treat the right patient at the right time with the appropriate medication," Ashkar added.
The team discovered two distinct subpopulations of proximal tubule cells: one regenerative type prevalent in healthy kidneys, and another identified by a genetic marker indicative of disease. By quantifying these cell types in kidney tissue samples, researchers can more accurately determine the severity of the disease.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kidney diseases are a leading cause of mortality in the United States. Approximately 14% of adults suffer from chronic kidney disease, often unaware of their condition. Common treatments for kidney failure include dialysis or transplantation, both significantly impacting the patient's quality of life.
Ashkar noted that kidney cells exhibit much greater complexity than previously thought. A broader objective in research involves categorizing cell types into "molecular neighborhoods" for further study, with the ultimate aim of preserving more kidneys from irreversible damage.
"Our main goal is to define a molecular timeline for disease progression and to find valuable, precise therapeutic targets that pave the way for personalized medicine in kidney diseases," Ashkar stated.
Ashkar expresses gratitude towards their research participants: "We consider our volunteers heroes because they generously donate their kidney biopsies and share detailed information about their conditions. Their contributions help us understand kidney disease better, with hope for improved treatments and an eventual cure."