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.
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
NEWS
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 use of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoid to model nephrotic syndrome.
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 the field of renal research and to stimulate the application of research results in practice.
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 Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). Project title: The REPAIR study: Regeneration of kidnEy ePitheliAl cells crossIng boRders
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 Center to raise awareness for kidney disease.
Kidney Organoids
Interview with Dr. Jitske Jansen for NierNieuws (Kidney News). March 2019 An interview with researcher Jitske Jansen from the Radboudumc Amalia Children’s Hospital in Nijmegen about her research on organoids. “Mini-niertjes in een kweekschaaltje” (article in Dutch).
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 this review, we highlight the molecular basis of nephrotic syndrome and discuss requirements to accurately study nephrotic syndrome in vitro, including an overview of specific podocyte markers, cutting-edge stem cell organoids, and the implementation of microfluidic platforms. The development of (patho) physiologically relevant glomerular models will accelerate the identification of molecular targets involved in nephrotic syndrome and