Vanin-1 in CKD: Uncovering Tubular Injury and a New Pathway for Protein Degradation
Name of applicant
Kathrin Weyer
Title
Associate Professor
Institution
Aarhus University
Amount
DKK 6,035,770
Year
2025
Type of grant
Semper Ardens: Accelerate
What?
We will investigate how the inflammatory stress protein vanin-1 drives kidney damage and test whether removing it from tubular cells can protect against chronic kidney disease (CKD). The project will also establish a new strategy for kidney-specific elimination of harmful proteins.
Why?
CKD affects one in ten adults and is expected to become the 5th leading cause of death in Europe by 2040. Current treatments control risk factors but do not stop tubular injury, a key driver of disease progression. Targeting vanin-1 could offer a novel way to slow or prevent CKD.
How?
We will design protein-based molecules that direct vanin-1 into natural clearance pathways of kidney cells, leading to its breakdown. These molecules will be tested in human kidney tissue, advanced disease models, and patient samples to determine if vanin-1 removal reduces injury and preserves kidney function.