Grant: Operating Grant

Kidney diseases are common in the general population. Many types of kidney disease are caused by toxins, poor circulation, diabetes and other insults. Invariably, these types of kidney injury result in either acute or chronic kidney failure which has a significant impact on patient health. When kidneys become injured, a significant component of inflammation is involved. It is known that inflammation that occurs during injury contributes to kidney failure resulting in a worse outcome. We have recently identified a new pathway of inflammation in the cell. We believe that this inflammatory pathway (called the inflammasome)is activated by the types of injury stated above such as poor circulation or toxins. The activation of the inflammasome contributes to the severity of the kidney injury and the ultimate outcome that is kidney failure. Research in this area may identify new pathways or understanding of kidney failure that can be targeted with drugs, that ultimately will help patients with kidney failure.