Division of Nephrology and Hypertension

February 7, 2024

VUMC study finds molecular switch key to repair of kidney damage

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified Rac1, a molecular switch that regulates the actin cytoskeleton of epithelial cells in the collecting ducts, as a driver of post-obstructive kidney repair.

By Bill Snyder
December 5, 2023

Role of immunity in kidney injury hints at a potential therapy: study

Targeting the cytokine IL-22 could be a new therapeutic approach to prevent kidney injury caused by drugs or toxins, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

By Bill Snyder
December 4, 2023

New study uses genetic data to support use of thiazide diuretics for kidney stone prevention

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center genetic association study of more than 1 million adults supports the use of the common blood pressure medication thiazide diuretics for kidney stone prevention.

By Danny Bonvissuto
November 21, 2023

VUMC scientists discover key step to kidney fibrosis

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for the first time have shown that activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is essential for the development of kidney fibrosis, tissue scarring following injury that can lead to kidney failure.

By Bill Snyder
October 5, 2023

Kidney disease gene also has a protective mutation

African Americans have long been known to be at increased risk of kidney disease due to a dangerous genetic mutation that creates a hole in the kidney cells, but Vanderbilt researchers have now discovered a protective genetic mutation that covers the hole to eliminate the risk.

By Craig Boerner
July 3, 2023

Vanderbilt investigators land Keck Foundation grant for groundbreaking genetic research

Vanderbilt scientists have received a $1.2 million award from the W. M. Keck Foundation for their groundbreaking project, “Genetic Intolerance Patterns as a Treasure Map to Genes that Define Us as Human.”

By VUMC News and Communications
May 23, 2023

Treating kidney injury before it happens

Pretreatment of an animal model with a novel compound called PHAD reduced kidney injury, suggesting it may be a good candidate for preventing kidney injury in surgical patients.
By Sarah E. Glass
March 2, 2023

Sex-specific regulation of kidney signals

Links between estrogen signaling and sodium excretion by the kidney could help explain a reduced risk of hypertension in females versus males.
By Kelsey Pinckard
January 19, 2023

Low potassium injures kidney

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that low dietary potassium causes direct kidney injury, suggesting potential new targets for treating chronic kidney disease.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 5, 2023

VUMC researchers upend dogma about vasopressin production

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered that vasopressin, which has long been thought to be produced only in the brain, is also produced in the kidney.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 15, 2022

Reduced kidney function may cause cardiovascular disease: study

An international team of investigators has found that mild to moderate reduction in kidney function may cause cardiovascular disease, even in people without symptoms of heart disease or diabetes.
By Bill Snyder
December 15, 2022

Nephrology society lauds Bock’s research on kidney development

Vanderbilt's Fabian Bock, MD, PhD, won two awards at the Basic Research Forum for Emerging Kidney Scientists, presented virtually by the American Society of Nephrology and American Physiological Society.
By Bill Snyder
October 27, 2022

Terker selected as VUMC Discovery Scholar in Health and Medicine

By Bill Snyder