An international team of scientists has discovered a way to regenerate disease-damaged kidneys, restore function, and prevent kidney failure. This finding could significantly improve the treatment of complications resulting from diabetes and other diseases.
Diabetes causes many problems in the body, but one of the most common is kidney disease. Prolonged elevated blood sugar levels can damage the nephron, the small filtering unit of the kidney, leading to kidney dysfunction and ultimately kidney failure.
In a new study, researchers from Singapore and Germany investigated a potential cause – a protein known as interleukin-11 (IL-11), involved in causing scarring in other organs in response to injury. doing.
In a detailed study in mice, the researchers found that when kidneys are damaged, cells lining the small inner tubes release IL-11, which slows cell growth and promotes inflammation. and trigger a molecular cascade of scarring. However, when IL-11 is inhibited, using mice genetically engineered to lack IL-11 or giving mice antibodies that inhibit IL-11 interferes with this process, allowing healthy cells to function. can regenerate and undo existing damage.
“IL-11 was found to be detrimental to renal function, causing the development of chronic kidney disease,” said Professor Stuart Cook, corresponding author of the study. “We also showed that anti-IL11 therapy can restore kidney function by treating renal failure, reversing established chronic kidney disease, and promoting regeneration in mice, but is safe for long-term use.” It was also shown.”
The team followed up on findings from a laboratory dish test of human kidney cells and observed similar results. Researchers found that administering IL-11 antibody to cells in diabetic kidney disease repopulated renal tubular cells, reversed scarring and inflammation, and ultimately restored organ function. bottom.
Although the results look promising, it’s important to remember that this study is still in its very early stages and the results may not easily translate to human testing. is an interesting new target for developing
A study was published in a journal Nature CommunicationsThe team describes their work in the video below.
Duke NUS Kidney Regeneration (Hi-Res)
Source: Duke National University Singapore
