Arterial Progenitor Cells
Vascular progenitor cells show promise for the treatment of microvascular injury in kidney disease. Recognized as a potential treatment for peripheral vascular disease, they have limited application due to non-targeted patient populations. We investigate the function of progenitor cells derived from the artery of patients undergoing radical nephrectomy who are at immediate risk of both acute ischemic injury and hyperperfusion injury.
Uremic Cardiomyopathy
We study an association between GPx3 deficiency and an increased frequency of cardiac events in patients with CKD. The GPx3-/- rodent model confirms the significance of this specific deficiency in the setting of renal-induced cardiomyopathy. We utilize a GPx3-/- mouse line to analyze GPx3 deficiency in a model of chronic kidney disease termed nephron mass reduction (NMR) surgery.
aHUS Registry
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease of complement dysregulation. Patients that receive a kidney transplant are at risk of recurrence after transplant and premature death. We study the medical profile of aHUS patients utilizing a national database. We seek to identify the natural course of patients with aHUS on the deceased donor wait list and identify complications after transplant. Dr. Siedlecki is the United States data coordinator contributing to a global registry of greater than 1,000 patients.
Ferumoxytol Enhanced MR Imaging
Ferumoxytol is FDA-approved for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. The compound also has super paramagnetic properties that have utility in clinical magnetic resonance imaging. Our laboratory is exploring the utility of ferumoxytol as an alternative to gadolinium in patients with diminished kidney function.