Normoalbuminuric And Albuminuric Pathways To Renal Insufficiency In Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$288,900.00
Summary
Up to one third of patients with type 2 diabetes develop kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). An increase in protein excretion in the urine (albuminuria) is usually the first sign of kidney disease. Albuminuria usually progresses from normal levels to an intermediate phase (microalbuminuria) lasting 5-10 years and is then followed by overt nephropathy (macroalbuminuria). It has been traditionally believed that onset of a decline in kidney function, measured as glomerular filtration rate, accom ....Up to one third of patients with type 2 diabetes develop kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). An increase in protein excretion in the urine (albuminuria) is usually the first sign of kidney disease. Albuminuria usually progresses from normal levels to an intermediate phase (microalbuminuria) lasting 5-10 years and is then followed by overt nephropathy (macroalbuminuria). It has been traditionally believed that onset of a decline in kidney function, measured as glomerular filtration rate, accompanies the development of diabetic kidney disease. However, recent studies by our group have shown that about one quarter of patients with type 2 diabetes have impaired kidney function without an increase in albuminuria. This raises the possibility that an alternate non-albuminuric pathway leads to kidney disease in a subgroup of patients with type 2 diabetes. This study will compare kidney structure and function in patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired kidney function with or without increases in albuminuria. The comparison will be accompanied by measurements of the rate of decline in kidney function over 5 years or more, in subjects with or without increases in albuminuria in order to confirm that kidney function may decline independently of albuminuria. The demonstration of alternate mechanisms of renal injury has the potential to identify new targets for the treatment of kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.Read moreRead less
Developing A Screening Test To Identify Women At Risk Of Preeclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,119,284.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy for which there is currently no cure and no way to accurately predict women at risk. Using large collections of human blood samples, we will screen for novel proteins within pregnant women's blood. We will then use artificial intelligence to select the best biomarkers and combine them with clinical information to develop a multi-marker blood test to predict women at risk.
Decidual-trophoblast Interactions Critical For Optimal Pregnancy Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,927.00
Summary
This proposal seeks to identify the critical maternal and embryonic placental factors that regulate the formation of a healthy placenta and thus a healthy pregnancy and baby. Currently there is no way of identifying whether the placenta is forming adequately. The proposed studies are a necessary first step in identifying therapeutic targets for diseases associated with a poorly formed placenta, such as preeclampsia.
Mechanistic And Translational Studies In Female Reproductive Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
The womb is essential for a health pregnancy. This research aims to determine how the womb interacts with embryos to ensure a healthy pregnancy forms. Cells in the womb can also grow abnormally and result in endometrial cancer. New treatments for endometrial cancer will also be tested in this research.
The Pathogenic Role Of A Placenta-specific Protease In Early-onset Preeclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,950.00
Summary
Preeclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening disorder of pregnancy. If left untreated, PE will lead to maternal as well as fetal death. Unfortunately, the only current effective “cure” for PE is to deliver the baby prematurely. The causes of PE are intrinsically related to the placenta, the organ that connects the fetus to the mother. This project will investigate a unique enzyme that is produced only by the placenta, its contribution to PE and its potential as a target for PE treatment.
Blood Pressure Effects On Placental Growth And Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,357.00
Summary
Diseases causing high blood pressure in pregnancy or preeclampsia are a major cause of complications in mother and infant. At present, the only treatment is delivery of the baby who may be premature or too small. Why preeclampsia develops is incompletely understood and the long term consequences of this disease for the mother includes doubling of the future risk of heart and kidney disease. This research will look at the placenta or afterbirth at a molecular level to better understand why this d ....Diseases causing high blood pressure in pregnancy or preeclampsia are a major cause of complications in mother and infant. At present, the only treatment is delivery of the baby who may be premature or too small. Why preeclampsia develops is incompletely understood and the long term consequences of this disease for the mother includes doubling of the future risk of heart and kidney disease. This research will look at the placenta or afterbirth at a molecular level to better understand why this disease occurs.Read moreRead less
A Novel And Unique Protein I-body For The Treatment Of Chronic Kidney Disease Through Targeting CXCR4
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$768,340.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem, with adverse outcomes of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. Kidney transplantation and dialysis are the only options for the management of CKD, which results in a significant burden on the health system. The central aim of this project is to develop a novel therapeutic strategy to limit/reverse CKD, which will lead to a researcher-industry partnership in discovery of novel therapeutic agent.
The Role Of Tissue Hypoxia In The Evolution Of Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,391.00
Summary
We will determine how low oxygen levels in the kidney lead to kidney disease. We can now measure the levels of oxygen in kidney tissue in rats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in a completely non-invasive way. We will study two common kinds of kidney disease. One, acute kidney injury, can result from administration of contrast agents used in x-ray diagnostic procedures. The other, chronic kidney disease, is common in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.