Cara Fuentes Lab
The Cara Fuentes Lab's mission is to improve the quality of life and health of children suffering from rare protein-spilling kidneys diseases, with a primary focus on idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. The root cause of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is unknown, and current therapies consist of non-specific immunosuppressive drugs with variable efficacy and considerable side effects. By discovering novel aspects of the disease biology, Dr. Cara Fuentes aims to find novel targeted therapies and non-invasive biomarkers to help individualize therapies for childhood nephrotic syndrome and to help clinicians to anticipate clinical response and outcomes.
Current Projects
Endothelial cells and podocytes release molecules that are important to maintain a healthy filtration barrier and, therefore, to prevent leakage of proteins into the urine. Direct injury to podocytes and/to endothelial cells can alter the glomerular filtration barrier. In our lab, we are studying how the injured endothelial cell may contribute to the disruption of the glomerular filtration barrier and contributing to podocyte injury. Understanding endothelial biology in childhood nephrotic syndrome could provide clues for novel therapies and biomarkers.
Funded By: NIH-NIDDK-K08DK134761-01A1 and PNRC
While all children with nephrotic syndrome present with massive swelling, each child has its own particular clinical course and response to medications. As of today, clinicians lack tools to predict response to therapies or long-term outcomes of these children. One possibility for such clinical heterogeneity is that children may have different triggers and/or mechanism of disease resulting in a similar clinical phenotype (swelling). To test this, we are investigating a broad array of biomarkers to characterize the molecular basis of the disease. Ultimately, we hope to identify distinct biomarker signatures to help individualize treatments and to better predict outcomes.
Inside the Cara Fuentes Lab
Featured Publications
- Production of Acetylcholine by Podocytes and its Protection from Kidney Injury in GN
- β1-Integrin Blockade Prevents Podocyte Injury in Experimental Models of Minimal Change Disease
- Pulmonary Surfactants and the Respiratory-Renal Connection in Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome of Childhood
- Minimal Change Disease Is Associated With Endothelial Glycocalyx Degradation and Endothelial Activation
Our Research
Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common form of nephrotic syndrome in childhood and can also persist during adulthood. Unfortunately, it is not an innocent disease, but rather can cause infections, acute and chronic kidney failure, clots, etc. Thus, children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome often require hospitalization to manage the disease during the acute phase (relapse) or during its complications. Children occasionally require kidney transplantation, but yet, some suffer the disease again shortly after transplantation. These complications and outcomes still occur despite using aggressive immunosuppressive therapies, which often result in important side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent unmet need to elucidate the molecular biology of the disease to find a cure or safer and more effective therapies, as well as novel approaches to individualize therapies.
The Cara Fuentes Lab is focused on translational research in proteinuric kidney diseases. Dr. Cara Fuentes integrates the study of human biosamples with multiple cell culture approaches to identify molecular targets of interest and to study potential mechanisms of disease. Additionally, his team uses several animal models of proteinuria to test novel mechanisms of disease and therapies. Ultimately, the goal is to identify targeted therapies to help clinicians tailor treatments according to a particular molecular signature in each child with nephrotic syndrome. Dr. Cara Fuentes' team combines traditional laboratory methods (western blotting, ELISA, etc.) with state-of-the-art technology (transcriptomics, phospho-proteomics, etc.) and approaches (2D and 3D co-cultures, flow assays, impedance, etc.). Additionally, Dr. Cara-Fuentes collaborates with multiple researchers around the world to help his team tackle childhood nephrotic syndrome.
Team Affiliations
Dr. Cara Fuentes's team participates in the following organizations:
- International Society of Glomerular Disease (ISGD) - A medical society that provides a physician- and researcher-centric professional home for glomerular disease experts. ISGD seeks to ensure equitable care for patients with glomerular disease.
- NEPTUNE - A multicenter, international research consortium that strives to discover the molecular causes of nephrotic syndrome, how nephrotic syndrome impacts patients and more precise and effective ways to treat the disease.
Resources for Patients and Families
- AESNI - A non-profit organization supporting children diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and their families.
- NephCure - The only kidney organization squarely focused on nephrotic syndrome, FSGS, IgAN, and other rare, protein-spilling kidney diseases. Their mission is to empower people with rare, protein-spilling kidney disease to take charge of their health, while leading the revolution in research, new treatments, and care.
- Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation - A non-profit organization supporting those diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, their families and the ongoing search for a cure. Their goal is to meet each family and child in these tough times and lift each one up as best we can by providing financial and emotional support to help them weather the times to better health, acceptance, and adjustment.
Collaborate With Us!
The Cara Fuentes Lab is actively open to collaboration. If you're interested in working with us, please email Gabriel.CaraFuentes@NationwideChildrens.org.
