PM-KIDNEY: Pollution is the Motor of premature ageing of the KIDNEY
Aging of kidneys
Premature renal ageing is a risk factor for cardio-vascular adverse events, the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and progression towards end stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD is associated with low quality of life, high morbidity and mortality, and tremendous health care expenses.
Air pollution (PM2.5) increases risk on Chronic Kidney Disease
The incidence of ESRD varies greatly among countries with 6% in The Netherlands compared to 11% in São Paulo. One of the neglected factors possibly underlying to the diverseness in renal ageing, is the exposure to environmental factors. Recently epidemiological studies have linked exposure to a low quality of air – Particulate Matter in aerodynamic air (PM2.5) – to an increased risk of CKD. Epigenetic changes, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are one of the mechanisms mediating the negative health effects of PM2.5.
The unique Harvard Ambient Particle Concentrator
The researchers of this project hypothesize that exposure to PM2.5 forms an accelerator of ageing of the kidneys, increasing the risk of CKD. To unravel the molecular and biological changes induced by PM2.5 exposure in the kidney, they will use a unique experimental model: the Harvard Ambient Particle Concentrator. In this model, the researchers will expose mice to PM2.5 during the ageing process and after the induction of injury of the kidneys. Using this setup, they will identify a unique signature of PM2.5, which will be evaluated as a risk factor for renal health span in observational cohorts in the Netherlands and in São Paulo.
The researchers think that with this, they can predict individual differences in function decline of the kidneys and that it will be important to adopt preventive measures to promote healthy ageing of the kidneys. Additionally, using state-of-the-art techniques, they aim at the chemical, elemental characterization and traceability of PM2.5 components in blood, kidney and urine, to unravel which elements of PM2.5 are toxic for the kidneys.
More information
The website www.pmkidney.com informes you about the international research consortium of medical and scientific investigators from academic and research centers in The Netherlands and Brazil. Their aim is to illuminate the effect of particulate matter (PM) in polluted air on processes underlying renal aging.