Inflammation in AKI

Immunomodulatory therapies hold considerable promise to limit AKI; however, global inhibition of cytokines and immune cells have not been shown to be effective therapies in many acute conditions due to increased rates of complications from immunosuppression. We use a variety of genetically floxed mice in order to explore the mechanisms by which cytokines, chemokines, and specific immune cells modulate kidney injury and kidney recovery. Our laboratory is funded to study effects of the interleukin-1 receptor in myeloid cells for its effects on AKI, and we are finding novel and surprising anti-inflammatory roles for the interleukin-1 receptor in myeloid cells. We are also studying specific macrophage populations in the kidney for their role in kidney homeostasis and healing.