Supported Research

Lay Summary

Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, leading to scarring of the filtering units of the kidneys. High glucose causes kidney cells called mesangial cells to make scar proteins. These scar proteins accumulate in the filtering units of the kidneys and prevent them from functioning properly. It is not yet known how high glucose levels cause mesangial cells to produce these scar proteins. Dr. Krepinsky previous studies have shown that a protein called ADAM17 directs mesangial cells exposed to high glucose to make scar proteins. In studying how ADAM17 function can be blocked, she found that a protein called LASP1 is important in regulating both the activity and the levels of ADAM17 in mesangial cells exposed to high glucose. She also found LASP1 to be increased in diabetic kidneys. In this project, she plans to investigate how LASP1 functions to regulate ADAM17 activation and levels, and whether blocking LASP1 can slow or prevent the development of diabetic kidney disease.