Proposal of new treatment possibilities for chronic kidney disease
[대학저널 김주원 기자] GST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology) Park, Ji-Hwan(Photo) Prof.’s team conducted international joint research with the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. and the Barcelona University of Science and Technology in Spain to discover key regulators that play an important role in the process of developing normal kidney disease and chronic kidney disease, suggesting new treatment possibilities for chronic kidney disease. did.
Through single-cell analysis technology, the research team analyzed the kidney, which is composed of the most complex cell types in our body, at the individual cell level, and identified important cell types in the development of chronic kidney disease and played a central role in the differentiation and metabolic regulation of these cells. Estrogen-related receptors were discovered.
Chronic kidney disease is a disease commonly associated with diabetes and high blood pressure, and is a disease that is rapidly increasing to about 800 million people worldwide.
In particular, when it develops into end-stage kidney disease, there are no treatments other than dialysis and kidney transplant, which incurs great pain for patients and their families, and the socioeconomic burden of disease is high. This is urgent.
Through single-cell analysis of human chronic kidney disease-induced animal models and kidney organ analogues, the research team found that in chronic kidney disease, there are a large number of incorrectly differentiated proximal tubular epithelial cells in the kidney, which also affect the lipid metabolism process. Worked.
In addition, the key regulator that regulates the differentiation and lipid metabolism of proximal tubular epithelial cells is the estrogen-related receptor (ESRRA), and it has been confirmed that the receptor can control chronic kidney disease by inhibiting or overexpressing genes.
Professor Ji-Hwan Park said, “This study is of great significance that we have identified key cell types and regulators of chronic kidney disease by combining the latest technologies such as single-cell analysis technology and kidney organ analogues.” “We have confirmed the possibility of developing a drug that is specifically effective only for the drug.”
This research, which was participated by Professor Ji-Hwan Park (first author and corresponding author), was conducted with support from the Korea Research Foundation’s New Researcher Support Project and the Basic Research Laboratory. It was published in print dated January 5, 2021.
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