SuPAR And Kidney Inflammation

Inflammation is a common characteristic of kidney disease. Persistent inflammation often results in long-term damage and declining function of the kidneys.

“Chronic kidney disease is generally defined as kidney damage or decreased function for three or more months. Chronic kidney disease may advance to end-stage kidney disease, which requires either dialysis or a kidney transplant.”

SuPAR And Its Effect On Inflammation

Kidney inflammation can be centered on soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), an innate immune effector molecule. SuPAR is a circulating factor for kidney disease and plays a role in its progression. SuPAR is also associated with acute kidney injury (AKI).

A New Study for Patients with CKD

Recently, a research collaboration was announced that will study 500,000 individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to understand better the role of suPAR and its effect on advancing CKD.

“Elevated levels of suPAR are known to injure kidney tissues, leading to podocyte dysfunction, kidney disease, and the associated proteinuria. The compromised kidney structure and function often leads to end-stage kidney disease, which can result in the need for dialysis or kidney transplant.”

This Phase II trial will study a new monoclonal antibody (WAL0921) that binds to suPAR and decreases its ability to cause inflammation. This will provide a new disease-modifying approach to CKD. Initial data with WAL0921 demonstrated that it is safe and effective in reducing the levels of suPAR.

“WAL0921 is designed to directly target this causal agent driving renal disease to provide a truly novel and disease-modifying approach for many chronic kidney diseases.”

How To Decrease Inflammation

Once kidneys start to malfunction, their ability to filter toxins also reduces. Thus, damage occurs over time. Decreasing inflammation helps to preserve kidney function. Several key factors may help in this process:

• Eat foods high in fiber
• Take Omega 3 fatty acids/fish oil supplements
• Take prebiotics and probiotics
• 30 minutes a day of physical activity
• Drink a lot of water
• Avoid coffee and alcohol

Conclusion

Recent research has made exciting progress in understanding how suPAR affects kidney disease, although there are still unanswered questions. Studying suPAR further will help us understand its role in kidney disease and lead to new treatments that may help many people with kidney disease.

Source: 

• suPAR: An Inflammatory Mediator for Kidneys