Project Grant R01DK144010

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded $711,430 to the University of Pittsburgh on July 27, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to investigate the role of sex-specific microRNA regulation in acute kidney injury.

The research examines how sex-differentially expressed microRNAs, particularly the mir-1792 cluster, protect tubular epithelial cells during acute kidney injury by repressing proinflammatory and pro-fibrotic signaling pathways. The project uses two complementary approaches: primary human kidney cultured cells exposed to injury models (cisplatin or hypoxia) or stimulation (interleukin-6), and established tubule-specific inducible mir-1792 knockout murine models. The research assesses protein and mRNA expression for inflammation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, oxidative stress, and adaptive repair; evaluates kidney function markers (blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine) and histological injury scoring; and investigates the role of mir-17~92 on JAK/STAT signaling in tubular epithelial cells through in vitro knockout and overexpression studies. The work aims to define a novel protective mechanism for these microRNAs against ischemic acute kidney injury and demonstrate how they drive sex differences in kidney injury response.

Performance occurs at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The period of performance runs through April 30, 2030. This is a Project Grant, the standard assistance type for investigator-initiated biomedical research under NIDDK's extramural portfolio.