Our Research Projects
The Devarajan Lab is currently working on several observational studies and clinical trials. Learn more about our projects below.
Projects
Implications of the DAXX / ASK1 / JNK Pathway in Acute Renal Failure
Apoptosis is a major mechanism leading to tubule cell death in early acute kidney injuries. We are investigating the DAXX / ASK1 / JNK signal transduction mechanism as a unique cell death pathway following early injury; this may provide a target for innovative therapies. The specific aim of this project is to identify the contributions of this pathway to structural and functional kidney damage, using a variety of in vitro and in vivo manipulations.
Funding
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Collaborator
Alex Kuan, MD, PhD, Division of Developmental Biology
Immunofluorescence images of mouse kidney after ischemia reperfusion injury (left panels) or transplanted human cadaveric kidney (right panels), showing colocalization of DAXX and apoptotic TUNEL-positive tubule epithelial cells. The asterisk illustrates tubules that are negative for both.
Early Prediction of Lupus Nephritis Using Advanced Proteomics
This project aims to identify novel noninvasive biomarkers of lupus nephritis. Such biomarkers could facilitate the clinical evaluation of innovative therapeutic approaches, and could reveal the mechanics of the disease’s pathology. The specific aim of this project is to identify and validate biomarker patterns in lupus nephritis using proteomic profiling techniques.
Funding
- Department of Defense
Collaborator
Hermine Brunner, MD, MSc, Division of Rheumatology
SELDI-TOF proteomic profiling of urine reveals distinct protein peaks in patients with Class IV and Class V lupus nephritis that are absent from controls (top two panels).
Glomerulosclerosis in Human FSGS and Mouse Models
We intend to identify and validate distinct transcriptomic profiles in laser-captured glomeruli from humans and animal models of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. This research could help reveal novel disease mechanisms, therapeutic targets and biomarkers for clinical use.
Funding
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Collaborator
S. Steven Potter, PhD, Division of Developmental Biology
Laser-captured glomeruli will be subjected to cDNA microarray analysis. Genes differentially expressed in affected versus unaffected glomeruli will be correlated with histopathology and clinical outcomes.
Novel Biomarkers in Cardiac Surgery to Detect Acute Kidney Injury
Through this project we intend to validate NGAL, cystatin C and IL-18 as predictive biomarkers of acute kidney injury and its adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery. This is a multicenter observational study.
Funding
- National Institutes of Health
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Collaborators
Catherine Dent Krawczeski, MD, the Heart Institute
Chirag Parikh, MD, PhD, FACP, Yale University
Ancillary Studies in the Natural History of Acute Kidney Injury
This project aims to define the long-term outcomes of acute renal injury after cardiac surgery and to identify the role of early biomarkers in predicting the outcomes. This is a multicenter observational study.
Funding
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Collaborators
Catherine Dent Krawczeski, MD, the Heart Institute
Chirag Parikh, MD, PhD, FACP, Yale University
Nephrology Center of Excellence
The Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is one of only three in the nation supported by the National Institutes of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases. The Center of Excellence serves as a national resource for conducting ground-breaking research into pediatric kidney disease.
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