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 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.
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.
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.
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
– VIDI grant ZonMw
– VENI grant ZonMw
– Radboudumc Hypatia grant
– Dutch Kindey Foundation
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 klachten. Hoe het virus dit precies doet, onderzoekt onderzoeker nierpathologie Jitske Jansen door mininiertjes te besmetten met COVID-19.
Jitske Jansen, Katharina Charlotte Reimer, James Shiniti Nagai, […] Rebekka K. Schneider, Bart Smeets and Rafael Kramann. Published: December 24, 2021 https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(21)00520-8
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.
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.
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
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.
