Stress-induced Kinases in Renal Injury
Examining the role of inflammatory kinases that mediate the response to stress (JNK, p38 MAPK, ASK1), activation of the innate immune response (TAK1), Fc-gamma receptor activation (Syk), or macrophage recruitment and activation (c-fms) in different types of renal injury: rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, renal fibrosis, renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury and antibody mediated renal allograft rejection.
Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Kidney Disease
Prolonged obesity often leads to chronic inflammation in adipose tissue which promotes the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In addition, diabetes causes inflammation in the kidney which leads to progressive renal injury and loss of kidney function. Diabetic nephropathy is the major cause of end-stage kidney disease. Studies are being performed with gene deficient mouse strains and molecular inhibitors to identify the inflammatory pathways which are critical to the development of type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. These studies are being used to identify novel strategies that may reduce or prevent inflammation in patients with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.
