Kirk M. McHugh, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator, Center for Molecular and Human Genetics. Director of Nephrology & Urology Research Affinity Group, Nationwide Children's Hospital. Director of Shared Resources, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Faculty, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University. Adjunct Faculty, Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, The Ohio State University. Adjunct Faculty, Division of Anatomy, The Ohio State University.

View CV »

Gender:

• Male

Languages Spoken:

• English

Research Center:

• Center for Molecular and Human Genetics

Areas of Interest:

• The current research efforts in my lab focus on the development and pathogenesis of the urogenital system. Urinary tract malformations, obstructive nephropathy, and renal hypoplasia/dysplasia comprise over 50% of the children with end-stage renal disease worldwide. These defects are extremely important in the terms of pediatric health care costs with end-stage renal disease estimated to cost 1.5 billion dollars annually in the United States alone. Studies in our lab focus on congenital defects in bladder smooth muscle development as well as the resulting pathologies associated with the development of obstructive nephropathy including chronic renal failure and kidney disease. We have identified a highly unique mouse model, designated mgb for megabladder, which permits the study of the development of obstructive nephropathy in utero, and our currently using a wide range of genetic and molecular approaches to identify the genes responsible for the developmental defects and subsequent pathologies observed in mgb mice. The identification and characterization of the factors responsible for the pathogenic changes in renal function following the development of congenital bilateral obstructive nephropathy in mgb mice will provide a platform for the evaluation of pharmacological, surgical, and gene therapy strategies designed to prevent and treat the pathogenic processes associated with the development of progressive renal failure in utero.

Undergraduate School

• Mount Union College
  Date Completed: 06/30/1982

Post Doctoral

• University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
  Date Completed: 06/30/1986

2002–present

• Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University

1994–2002

• Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson Unversity, Philadelphia, PA

1989–1994

• Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia

1986–1989

• Research Fellow, Basic Sciences Division, Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH

• Becknell B, Carpenter AR, Bolon B, Asplin JR, Ingraham SE, Hains DS, Schwaderer AL,and McHugh KM. 2013. Struvite urolithiasis and chronic urinary tract infection in a murine model of urinary diversion.  Urology. Vol. 81, no. 5. (May): 943-8.
• DeSouza KR, Saha M, Carpenter AR, Scott M, and McHugh KM. 2013. Analysis of the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Normal and Abnormal Bladder Development.  PLOS ONE. Vol. 8, no. 1. (January): ee53675.
• Carpenter A, Becknell B, Hirselj D, McHugh KM. 2012. Urinary Diversion via cutaneous vesicostomy in the megabladder mouse.  Kidney Development: Methods in Molecular Biology. Vol. 886, no. June: 393-402.
• Carpenter A, Becknell B, and McHugh KM. 2012. Renal Ultrasound in the Mouse. In Kidney Development: Methods in Molecular Biology. Edited by Humana Press. New York: Humana Press.
• Carpenter A, Becknell B, Hirselj D, and McHugh KM. 2012. Urinary Diversion Via Cutaneous Vesicostomy in the Megabladder Mouse. In Kidney Development: Methods in Molecular Biology. Edited by Humana Press. New York: Humana Press.
• Ingraham S, and McHugh KM. 2012. Congenital Obstructive Nephropathy: Clinical Perspectives and Animal Models.  In Tech. Vol. Chapter 1, no. May: 1-28.
• Carpenter A, Paulus A, Robinson M, Bates C, Robinson ML, Hains D, Kline D, and McHugh KM. 2012. 3-dimensional morphometric analysis of murine bladder development and dysmorphogenesis.  Developmental Dynamics. Vol. 241, no. 3. (March): 522-533.
• Becknell B, Hains D, Schwaderer A, Vanderbrink B, Spencer JD, Reagan, PB, and McHugh KM. 2012. Impact of urinary tract infection on inpatient healthcare utilization for congenital obstructive nephropathy.  Journal of Pediatric Urology. Vol. 26, no. January: 1269-1273.
• Kuemmerle JF, Barnard JA, and McHugh KM. 2012. Growth Factors in the Gastrointestinal Tract. In Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Volume 1, Fifth Edition. 5 ed. Edited by Fayez K. Ghishan,Johnathan D. Kaunitz, Juanita Merchant, Hamid M. Said, Jackie Wood. Waltham, MA: Academic Press.
• Carpenter AR, Becknell Brian, Ingraham SE, and McHugh KM. 2012. Ultrasound imaging of the murine kidney.  Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). Vol. 886, no. January: 403-410.
• Carpenter,AR; Becknell,B; Ingraham,SE; McHugh,KM. 2012. Renal Ultrasound in the Mouse.  Methods in Molecular Biology. Vol. 886, no. January: 403-410.
• Carpenter AR, Becknell Brian, Hirselj DA, and McHugh KM. 2012. Urinary diversion via cutaneous vesicostomy in the megabladder mouse.  Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.). Vol. 886, no. January: 393-402.
• Spencer JD, Schwaderer A, McHugh KM, Vanderbrink B, Becknell B, and Hains DS. 2011. The demographics and costs of inpatient vesicoureteral reflux management in the USA.  Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany). Vol. 26, no. 11. (November): e1995.
• Ingraham SE, and McHugh KM. 2011. Current perspectives on congenital obstructive nephropathy.  Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany). Vol. 26, no. 9. (September): e1453.
• Becknell B, Pais P, Onimoe G, Rangarajan H, Schwaderer AL, McHugh KM, Ranalli MA, and Hains DS. 2011. Hepatoblastoma and prune belly syndrome: a potential association.  Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany). Vol. 26, no. 8. (August): 1269-1273.
• Spencer JD, Schwaderer AL, Dirosario JD, McHugh KM, McGillivary G, Justice SS, Carpenter AR, Baker PB, Harder J, Hains DS. 2011. Ribonuclease 7 is a potent antimicrobial peptide within the human urinary tract.  Kidney International. Vol. 80, no. 2. (July): e174.
• Becknell B, Pais P, Onimoe G, Rangarajan H, Schwaderer AL, McHugh KM, Ranalli MA, Hains DS. 2011. Hepatoblastoma and Prune belly syndrome: A Potential Association.  Pediatric Nephrology.
• Ingraham S, McHugh KM. 2011. Current persepectives in congenital obstructive nephropathy.  Current persepectives in congenital obstructive nephropathy. Vol. 26, no. January: 1453-1461.
• Carpenter A, Becknell B, McHugh KM. 2011. Renal ultrasound in the mouse.  Kidney Development" Methods in Microbiology.
• Spencer JD, Schwaderer A, McHugh K, Vanderbrink B, Becknell B, Hains D. 2011. The demographics and costs of inpatient vesicoureteral reflux management in the USA.  Pediatric Nephrology.
• Ingraham SE, Saha M, Carpenter AR, Robinson M, Ismail I, Singh S, Hains D, Robinson ML, Hirselj DA, Koff SA, Bates CM, McHugh KM. 2010. Pathogenesis of renal injury in the megabladder mouse: a genetic model of congenital obstructive nephropathy.  Pediatric Research. Vol. 68, no. 6. (December): 500-507.
• Hains DS, Sims-Lucas S, Carpenter A, Saha M, Murawski I, Kish K, Gupta I, McHugh KM, and Bates CM. 2010. High incidence of vesicoureteral reflux in mice with Fgfr2 deletion in kidney mesenchyma.  The Journal Of Urology. Vol. 183, no. 5. (May): 2077-2084.
• Spencer JD, Schwaderer A, McHugh KM, and Hains DS. 2010. Pediatric urinary tract infections: an analysis of hospitalizations, charges, and costs in the USA.  Pediatric Nephrology. Vol. 25, no. 12. (January): 2469-2475.
• Ingraham SE, McHugh KM. 2010. Current Perspectives in Congenital Obstructive Nephropathy.  Pediatric Nephrology.
• Spencer JD, Schwaderer A, DiRosario J, McHugh KM, McGillivary G, Carpenter A, Baker P, Harder J, Hains D. 2010. Ribonuclease 7: A Potent Antimicrobial Peptide Within the Human Kidney and Urinary Tract.  Kidney International.
• Ingraham, S.E., Saha, M., Carpenter, A., Robinson, M., Ismail, I., Singh, S., Hains, D., Robinson, M.L., Hirselj, D., Koff, S.A., Bates, C.M. and McHugh, K.M. 2010. Pathogenesis of Renal Injury in the Megabladder Mouse: A Genetic Model of Congenital Obstructive Nephropathy.  Pediatric Research.
• Sims-Lucas S, Argyropoulos C, Kish K, McHugh K, Bertram JF, Quigley R, Bates CM. 2010. 3 dimensional technique reveals new ureteric and mesenchymal defects in Fgfr2 mutant kidneys.  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Vol. 20, no. January: 2525-2533.
• Hain DS, Sims-Lucas S, Carpenter A, Saha M, Murawsik I, Kish K, Gupta I, McHugh K, Bates CM. 2010. High Incidence of Vesico-ureteral Reflux in Mice with Deletion of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 in Kidney Mesenchyme.  Journal of Urology.
• Sims-Lucas S, Argyropoulos C, Kish K, McHugh KM, Bertram JF, Quigley R, and Bates CM. 2009. Three-dimensional imaging reveals ureteric and mesenchymal defects in Fgfr2-mutant kidneys.  Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology: JASN. Vol. 20, no. 12. (December): 2525-2533.
• Saha M, Ingraham SE, Carpenter A, Robinson M, McHugh KE, Singh S, Robinson ML, and McHugh KM. 2009. Identification of distinct myocardin splice variants in the bladder.  The Journal Of Urology. Vol. 182, no. 2. (August): 766-775.
• Hains D, Sims-Lucas S, Kish K, Saha M, McHugh KM, Bates CM. 2008. Role of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 in kidney mesenchyme.  Pediatric Research. Vol. 64, no. 6. (December): 592-598.
• Singh S; Robinson M; Ismail I; Saha M; Auer H; Kornacker K; Robinson ML; Bates CM; McHugh KM. 2008. Transcriptional profiling of the megabladder mouse: a unique model of bladder dysmorphogenesis.  Developmental Dynamics: An Official Publication Of The American Association Of Anatomists. Vol. 237, no. 1. (January): e170.
• Singh S, Robinson M, Ismail I, Saha M, Auer H, Kornacker K, Robinson ML, Bates CM, McHugh KM. 2008. Transcriptional profiling of the megabladder mouse: a unique model of bladder dysmorphogenesis.  Dev Dyn.. Vol. 237, no. 1. (January): 170-186.
• Singh S; Robinson M; Nahi F; Coley B; Robinson ML; Bates CM; Kornacker K; McHugh KM. 2007. Identification of a unique transgenic mouse line that develops megabladder, obstructive uropathy, and renal dysfunction.  Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology: JASN. Vol. 18, no. 2. (February): e461.
• Schwaderer AL, Bates CM, McHugh KM, and McBride KL. 2007. Renal anomalies in family members of infants with bilateral renal agenesis/adysplasia.  Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany). Vol. 22, no. 1. (January): e52.
• Singh S, Robinson M, Nahi F, Coley B, Robinson ML, Bates CM, Kornacker K, and McHugh KM. 2007. Identification of a unique transgenic mouse line that develops megabladder, obstructive uropathy, and renal dysfunction.  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Vol. 18, no. 2. (January): 461-471.
• Auer H, Newsom DL, Nowak NJ, McHugh KM, Singh S, Yu CY, Yang Y, Wenger GD, Gastier-Foster JM, and Kornacker K. 2007. Gene-resolution analysis of DNA copy number variation using oligonucleotide expression microarrays.  BMC Genomics. Vol. 30, no. January: 1-13.
• Barnard JA and McHugh KM. 2006. Growth Factors of the GI Tract. In Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Fourth Edition. Edited by Johnson LR. New York, NY: Elsevier.
• Barnard J, and McHugh KM. 2006. Growth factors in the gastrointestinal tract.  Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Vol. ., no. January: 183-246.
• Schwaderer A, Bates C, McHugh K, McBride K. 2006. Renal Anomalies in Family Members of Infants with Bilateral Renal Agenesis/Adysplasia.  Pediatric Nephrology. Vol. 22, no. January: 52-56.
• Gabetta V, Trzyna W, Phiel C, and McHugh KM. 2003. Vesicle-associated protein-A is differentially expressed during intestinal smooth muscle cell differentiation.  Developmental Dynamics: An Official Publication Of The American Association Of Anatomists. Vol. 228, no. 1. (September): 11-20.
• Phiel CJ, Gabbeta V, Parsons LM, Rothblat D, Harvey RP, and McHugh KM. 2001. Differential binding of an SRF/NK-2/MEF2 transcription factor complex in normal versus neoplastic smooth muscle tissues.  The Journal Of Biological Chemistry. Vol. 276, no. 37. (September): 34637-34650.
• Van Bockstaele E, Peoples J, Menko, S, McHugh KM, and Drolet G. 2000. Decreases in Endogenous Opiod Peptides in the Rat Medullo-Coerulear Pathway Following Chronic Morphine Treatment.  Journal of Neuroscience. Vol. 20, no. January: 8659-8666.
• Blennerhassett MG, Bovell FM, Lourenssen S, and McHugh KM. 1999. Characteristics of inflammation-induced hypertrophy of rat intestinal smooth muscle cell.  Digestive Diseases And Sciences. Vol. 44, no. 7. (July): 1265-1272.
• Weston WM, LeClair EE, Trzyna W, McHugh KM, Nugent P, Lafferty CM, Ma L, Tuan RS, and Greene RM. 1999. Differential display identification of plunc, a novel gene expressed in embryonic palate, nasal epithelium, and adult lung.  The Journal Of Biological Chemistry. Vol. 274, no. 19. (May): 13698-13703.
• Brittingham J, Phiel C, Trzyna WC, Gabbeta V, and McHugh KM. 1998. Identification of distinct molecular phenotypes in cultured gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells.  Gastroenterology. Vol. 115, no. 3. (September): 605-617.
• Wong JZ, Woodcock-Mitchell J, Mitchell J, Rippetoe P, White S, Absher M, Baldor L, Evans J, McHugh KM, and Low RB. 1998. Smooth muscle actin and myosin expression in cultured airway smooth muscle cells.  The American Journal Of Physiology. Vol. 274, no. 5 Pt 1. (May): L786-792.
• McCue P, McHugh M, and McHugh KM. 1998. Diagnosing uterine smooth muscle tumors: A review.  LabMedica International. Vol. 15, no. January: 12-16.
• McCue P, McHugh M, McHugh KM. 1998. Diagnosing uterine smooth muscle tumors: a review.  Diagnosing uterine smooth muscle tumors: a review. Vol. 15, no. January: 12-16.
• Brittingham J, Phiel C, Trzyna W, Gabbeta V, McHugh KM. 1998. Finally - A Clear DiagnosIdentification of Distinct Molecular Phenotypes in Cultured Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Cells.  Gastroenterology. Vol. 115, no. January: 605-617.
• Trzyna WC, Gabbeta V, and McHugh KM. 1997. Isolation and characterization of a novel short chain alcohol dehydrogenase-like isozyme by differential display of distinct smooth muscle cell phenotypes.  The Journal Of Steroid Biochemistry And Molecular Biology. Vol. 63, no. 1-3. (September): 115-121.
• Trzyna W, McHugh M, McCue P, and McHugh, KM. 1997. Molecular determination of the malignant potential of smooth muscle neoplasms.  Cancer. Vol. 80, no. 2. (July): 211-217.
• Chakder S, McHugh KM, and Rattan S. 1997. Inhibitory neurotransmission in lethal spotted mutant mice: a model for Hirschsprung's disease.  Gastroenterology. Vol. 112, no. 5. (May): 1575-1585.
• Brittingham J, Liaw D, Liddell R, McHugh M, McCue P, and McHugh KM. 1997. Comparative analysis of smooth muscle isoactin gene expression in normal and neoplastic tissues.  Pathobiology: Journal Of Immunopathology, Molecular And Cellular Biology. Vol. 65, no. 3. (January): 113-122.
• Rivas D, Chancellor M, Shupp-Byrne D, Shenot P, and McHugh KM. 1997. A Molecular Marker for the Development of Interstitial Cystitis in a Rat Model: Isoactin Gene Expression.  J Urol. Vol. 157, no. January: 1937-1940.
• McHugh KM. 1996. Molecular analysis of gastrointestinal smooth muscle development.  Journal Of Pediatric Gastroenterology And Nutrition. Vol. 23, no. 4. (November): 379-394.
• McHugh KM. 1996. Molecular analysis of gastrointestinal smooth muscle development.  Molecular analysis of gastrointestinal smooth muscle development. Vol. 23, no. January: 379-394.
• McHugh, KM. 1995. Molecular Analysis of Smooth Muscle Development.  Developmental Dynamics. Vol. 204, no. February: 278-290.
• Pavan WJ, Liddell RA, Wright A, Thibaudeau G, Matteson PG, McHugh KM, and Siracusa LD. 1995. A high-resolution linkage map of the lethal spotting locus: a mouse model for Hirschsprung disease.  Mammalian Genome: Official Journal Of The International Mammalian Genome Society. Vol. 6, no. 1. (January): 1-7.
• Liddell RA, Chakder S, Rattan S, and McHugh KM. 1994. Differential isoactin gene expression in the sphincteric and nonsphincteric gastrointestinal smooth muscles of the opossum.  Proceedings Of The Society For Experimental Biology And Medicine. Society For Experimental Biology And Medicine (New York, N.Y.). Vol. 205, no. 4. (April): 321-326.
• Liddell RA, Thibaudeau G, Maddison P, Goldstein C, McHugh KM, Siracusa L, and Pavin W. 1994. Molecular Genetic Mapping of the Lethal Spotting (ls) Mutation in the Mouse.  Mouse Genome. Vol. 92, no. January: 688-690.
• Liddell RA, Syms M, and McHugh KM. 1993. Heterogeneous isoactin gene expression in the adult rat gastrointestinal tract.  Gastroenterology. Vol. 105, no. 2. (August): 347-356.
• Liddell RA, Mooers SU, Siegman MJ, and McHugh KM. 1993. Altered isoactin gene expression in the affected bowel segments of the lethal spotted mouse.  Gastroenterology. Vol. 105, no. 2. (August): 441-448.
• McHugh KM, Crawford K, and Lessard JL. 1991. A comprehensive analysis of the developmental and tissue-specific expression of the isoactin multigene family in the rat.  Developmental Biology. Vol. 148, no. 2. (December): 442-458.
• Brown CW, McHugh KM, and Lessard JL. 1990. A cDNA sequence encoding cytoskeletal gamma-actin from rat.  Nucleic Acids Research. Vol. 18, no. 17. (September): e5312.
• McHugh KM, and Drake RL. 1989. Insulin-mediated regulation of epididymal fat pad malic enzyme.  Molecular And Cellular Endocrinology. Vol. 62, no. 2. (April): 227-223.
• McHugh KM, Brown CW, and Lessard JL. 1989. A Molecular Analysis of the Rat Stomach Alpha-Vascular, Gamma-Enteric and Gamma-Cytoplasmic Isoactins. In Cellular and Molecular Biology of Muscle Development. Edited by Stockdale F and Kedes L. New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc.
• McHugh KM, Brown CW, and Lessard JL. 1989. A molecular analysis of the rat stomach a-vascular, g-enteric, and g-cytoplasmic isoactins.  Cellular and Molecular Biology of Muscle Development. UCLA Symposium on Molecular and Cellular Biology. Vol. 93, no. January: 157-166.
• McHugh KM, and Lessard JL. 1988. The development expression of the rat alpha-vascular and gamma-enteric smooth muscle isoactins: isolation and characterization of a rat gamma-enteric actin cDNA.  Molecular And Cellular Biology. Vol. 8, no. 12. (December): 5224-5231.
• McHugh KM, and Lessard JL. 1988. The nucleotide sequence of a rat vascular smooth muscle alpha-actin cDNA.  Nucleic Acids Research. Vol. 16, no. 9. (May): e4167.
• McHugh KM, and Drake RL. 1988. Normal and diabetic malic enzyme: a biochemical comparison.  Molecular And Cellular Endocrinology. Vol. 55, no. 1. (January): 71-75.
• McHugh KM, Mucenski CG, and Drake RL. 1986. An insulin-mediated differential induction of specific hepatic mRNAs.  ICSU Short Reports. Vol. 4, no. January: 52-53.
• Drake RL, McHugh KM, and Mucenski CG. 1984. Insulin and fructose regulate malic enzyme activity by different processes.  Biochemical And Biophysical Research Communications. Vol. 121, no. 2. (June): 730-734.
• Becknell B, Carpenter A, Bolon B, Ingraham S, Hains DS, Schwaderer AL, and McHugh KM. Struvite Urolithiasis and Pyelonephritis Associated With Cutaneous Vesicostomy in a Murine Model of Functional Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction.  Urology.
• Becknell B, Carpenter A, Bolon B, Ingraham S, Hains D, Schwaderer A, and McHugh KM. Struvite urolithiasis and pyelonephritis associated with cutaneous vesicostomy in a murine mouse model of functional lower urinary tract obstruction.  Journal of Urology.
• DeSouza K, Carpenter A, and McHugh KM. Molecular Analysis of the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway During Bladder Smooth Muscle Development in Normal and Megabladder Mice.  PLOS ONE.