Ming-Zhi Zhang Archives
VUMC scientists discover key step to kidney fibrosis
Nov. 21, 2023—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.
Inflammatory driver of obesity
Aug. 25, 2022—Blocking the EGF receptor signaling pathway in immune system macrophages represents a new target for improving insulin resistance in people with obesity.
Study sheds light on the dark side of obesity
May. 12, 2022—Vanderbilt research that promotes the anti-inflammatory pathway in macrophages could also reduce some of the bad side effects of obesity.
Gene expression in diabetic nephropathy
Aug. 5, 2021—Vanderbilt researchers are looking to mRNA populations in podocytes — kidney cells that help filter blood — to help identify potential targets for treating diabetic kidney disease.
Sex differences in kidney injury
Jul. 25, 2019—Men are more susceptible to progressive kidney disease than women; new VUMC studies point to differences in the expression and activation of the EGF receptor.
Immune system a must for kidney repair
Nov. 12, 2015—A signaling protein that is essential for recovery from acute kidney injury works by increasing the population of tissue-repairing immune cells.
Study sheds light on side effects of COX-2 drugs
Oct. 22, 2015—A team of Vanderbilt University Medical Center scientists are closer to understanding why COX-2 inhibitors — drugs that relieve arthritis pain and inflammation without the gastrointestinal side effects of other painkillers — cause heart problems in some patients. Now
Do-it-yourself repair in the kidney
Jan. 31, 2013—The kidney can mediate its own repair through proliferation of resident immune system cells.
