Group leader:

DR BART SMEETS PHD

RESEARCH NARRATIVE

Research focuses on progressive kidney diseases leading to scarring of the glomerulus (glomerulosclerosis) and loss of the nephrons of the kidney.
Current projects are aimed at unraveling the molecular processes underlying nephron injury and repair, to identify new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

The Nephropathology research group is positioned within the department of Pathology and the Renal Disorders research theme of the Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.  

Bart Smeets PhD

Group leader

The Nephropathology research group is positioned within the department of Pathology and the Renal Disorders research theme of the Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.  

Research narrative

Research focuses on progressive kidney diseases leading to scarring of the glomerulus (glomerulosclerosis) and loss of the nephrons of the kidney.
Current projects are aimed at unraveling the molecular processes underlying nephron injury and repair, to identify new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

OUR RESEARCH

New treatment options for glomerulosclerosis

There are limited options for treatment of glomerulosclerosis available. In previous studies , we have shown that parietal epithelial cells (PECs), when activated, are crucially involved in the development of glomerulosclerosis. 

Our current studies are aimed to unravel the molecular mechanism driving PEC activation and subsequent glomerulosclerosis. The knowledge that will be acquired from these studies is necessary for the identification of new diagnostic and prognostic markers and of specific therapeutic targets.

To understand proximal tubular cell regeneration

Tubular cell injury is a common finding in biopsies of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), as well as in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Tubular cell injury occurs in response to a variety of renal insults, most commonly ischemia. 

We aim to identify the yet unknown molecular processes regulating tubule repair. A better understanding of the molecular processes is a prerequisite for the develomentof specific therapies for prevention and recovery of AKI/CKD.

3D Kidney organoid cultures to model kidney disease

Recent advances in human stem cell-derived kidney organoid models have opened new avenues to model glomerular and tubular diseases in vitro. 

In the Smeets lab the kidney organoid model was succesfully implemented and used in various projects including the NWO ZonMW Veni Project of Dr. Jitske Jansen

FUNDING

 – VIDI grant ZonMw

– VENI grant ZonMw

 – Radboudumc Hypatia grant 

 – Dutch Kindey Foundation

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NEWS

Met nieuw model eindelijk meer inzicht in membraneuze nefropathie

Met nieuw model eindelijk meer inzicht in membraneuze nefropathie

Over membraneuze nefropathie (MN) is de laatste jaren steeds meer bekend geworden. Toch blijven enkele belangrijke vragen onopgehelderd. Celbioloog Bart...
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Jitske Jansen Explains in the TV program ‘Atlas’  the direct effects of SARS-CoV-2 on kidneys

Jitske Jansen Explains in the TV program ‘Atlas’ the direct effects of SARS-CoV-2 on kidneys

https://www.npostart.nl/ook-schade-aan-de-nieren-bij-milde-coronabesmetting/02-02-2022/POMS_NTR_16803476 Ook schade aan de nieren bij milde coronabesmetting Het coronavirus kan ook schade veroorzaken aan de nieren bij milde...
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Cell Stem Cell publication: SARS-CoV-2 infects the human kidney and drives fibrosis in kidney organoids

Cell Stem Cell publication: SARS-CoV-2 infects the human kidney and drives fibrosis in kidney organoids

Jitske Jansen, Katharina Charlotte Reimer, James Shiniti Nagai, Rebekka K. Schneider, Bart Smeets and Rafael Kramann. Published: December 24, 2021...
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Dutch Nephrology Days best fundamental abstract

Dutch Nephrology Days best fundamental abstract

Jitske Janssen  won the award for best fundamental research abstract at the Dutch Nephrology Days for her abstract on the...
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Kolff grant Dutch Kidney Foundation for Jitske Jansen

Kolff grant Dutch Kidney Foundation for Jitske Jansen

The Dutch Kidney Foundation supports talented postdocs and physician researchers. Kolff grant recipients are foreseen to make important contributions to...
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Veni Award for Jitske Jansen

Veni Award for Jitske Jansen

Dr. Jitske Jansen, member of the nephropathology research group, has received a Veni grant of 250,000 Euro from the Netherlands...
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World Kidney Day. March 2019

World Kidney Day. March 2019

Nephrologist and kidney researchers in collaboration with kidney patients and NierNieuws organize a playful teaching program at Radboud University Medical...
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Kidney Organoids

Kidney Organoids

Interview with Dr. Jitske Jansen for NierNieuws (Kidney News). March 2019 An interview with researcher Jitske Jansen from the Radboudumc...
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Nephrotic syndrome in a dish

Nephrotic syndrome in a dish

Our recent publication in Pediatric Nephrology. February 2019 Nephrotic syndrome in a dish: recent developments in modeling in vitro. In...
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The role of parietal cells in glomerulosclerosis

The role of parietal cells in glomerulosclerosis

An interview with researcher Jennifer Eymael about her research into scarring in kidney diseases. This study was published in December...
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Our recent publication in Kidney Int.

Our recent publication in Kidney Int.

Kidney Int. March 2018, p626–642 CD44 is required for the pathogenesis of experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis and collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis....
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Older news items

Older news items

Bart Smeets was selected for the Radboud Hypatia Track. The Radboud Hypatia Track is aimed at excellent researchers who are...
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