(Patho-) physiology of resident PDGFRβ+ interstitial cells in the kidney (B01)

• Subject Area: Nephrology ; Anatomy and Physiology
• Term: from 2019 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 387509280

A major cell population of the renal interstitium consists of resident cells expressing the β-type receptor for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGFRβ). Although highly abundant, these cells are not yet well characterized. This project aims to characterize the pool of renal PDGFRβ+ cells according to subpopulations. We will explore the structural and functional subpopulations, major signaling pathways as well as the relevance of PDGFRβ+ cells for normal kidney function, renal development, and progression of kidney diseases. The expected results can help to establish new concepts of how the modulation of resident interstitial cells could be a strategy to slow down the progression of kidney diseases.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1350: Tubulussystem und Interstitium der Niere: (Patho-)Physiologie und Crosstalk
• Applicant Institution: Universität Regensburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Armin Kurtz; Professorin Dr. Charlotte Wagner