Smoyer Lab
The Smoyer Lab's research is focused on three main themes:
- Exploring the molecular mechanisms regulating podocyte injury and recovery during nephrotic syndrome (NS), including molecular predictors and regulators of steroid resistance in NS
- Manipulation of podocyte nuclear receptors as a novel approach to reduce podocyte injury and proteinuria in NS
- Exploring the role of albumin-bound molecules and/or albumin modifications in the development and progression of NS, including approaches to “detoxify” albumin as potential future therapies for this disease.
Nephrotic syndrome is among the most common kidney diseases seen in children, yet there are still no drugs approved by the FDA as safe and effective to treat this disease. In addition, while glucocorticoids have been the mainstay of therapy for NS for the last 60 years, ~50% of adults and 20% of children either present with or develop steroid resistance. Given the high degree of toxicity associated with glucocorticoid use, there is a high unmet medical need for the development of more effective and less toxic therapies for NS.
