# Soluble mediators of relapse

> **NIH NIH R01** · RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $537,383

## Abstract

Abstract
The most common event preceding relapse of primary glomerular diseases like Minimal Change
Disease and Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis is the common cold. Treatment of disease
relapse is a lengthy process involving glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive medications, some
of which have multi-system toxicity. We hypothesized that relapse is induced by a “cytokine storm” that
follows infection by common cold viruses like Rhinovirus. A “cytokine cocktail” was designed around
the soluble Rhinovirus receptor and induces acute albuminuria after single intravenous injection in mice
with low podocyte Zhx2 expression, a common feature in MCD and FSGS patients. This cytokine
cocktail comprises of components of the innate and adaptive immune response that are necessary and
sufficient to induce acute albuminuria. Exclusion of any member from the cytokine cocktail, or injection
of individual members does not induce albuminuria.
In this proposal, we will develop therapeutic strategies to prevent relapse of glomerular diseases after
a common cold, by depleting soluble cytokines in the cytokine storm, or blocking their receptors in the
glomerulus.
In Aim 1, studies on cytokine depletion or receptor blockage in the podocyte will be conducted, and
receptor dependent and independent mechanisms identified.
In Aim 2, studies on cytokine depletion or receptor blockage in endothelial and mesangial cells will be
conducted, and receptor dependent and independent mechanisms identified.
In Aim 3, a therapeutic strategy that combines cytokine depletion with receptor blockage will be
developed.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10180409
- **Project number:** 1R01DK128203-01
- **Recipient organization:** RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Sumant Singh Chugh
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $537,383
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10180409

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10180409, Soluble mediators of relapse (1R01DK128203-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10180409. Licensed CC0.

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