# Functional and molecular identity of renal sensory nerves in hypertension

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2022 · $53,674

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Renal efferent and afferent sensory nerves coordinate renal function, central
hemodynamics, and blood pressure. Evidence in diverse animal models and clinical trials of
renal nerve denervation have suggested a predominant role of renal sensory nerves in the
pathogenesis and maintenance of hypertension. Despite our current knowledge of renal nerves,
there is a severe lack of anatomical, functional, and mechanistic knowledge about the specific
sensory fiber-types responsible for cardiovascular control. Renal sensory nerves detect
mechanical and chemical stimuli within the kidneys and consequently alter sodium reabsorption,
renin secretion, and sympathetic outflow. These responses are dependent on mechano- and
chemo- sensitive nerve fibers which have not been clearly defined. My preliminary data using
single-cell PCR on renal sensory neurons demonstrates the existence of two distinct
populations: Piezo2 and TRPV1. Based on these data, I hypothesize Piezo2 and TRPV1
expressing renal sensory nerves detect mechano- and chemo-sensitive stimuli, respectively,
and influence renal function, hemodynamics, and BP. The overall goal of this proposal is to
neurochemically profile Piezo2 and TRPV1 expressing sensory nerves and assess mechano-
and chemo-sensation in the kidney that contributes to hypertension. Specifically, I will: 1)
employ single-unit recordings and single-cell transcriptomics to examine the extent by which
Piezo2 and TRPV1-expressing neurons represent mechano- and chemo- sensitive renal
sensory nerve populations, 2) use optogenetics and transgenic mice to determine if Piezo2 and
TRPV1 fibers mediate renal sensory responses to mechano- and chemo-sensitive stimuli and
alter SNA and BP, and 3) assess acute and chronic contributions of Piezo2 and TRPV1 sensory
fibers in the maintenance of renovascular hypertension. This work will define renal-projecting
afferent sensory nerve populations involved in renal-reflex control of BP, anatomically map
innervation sites in the kidney, and functionally test distinct renal afferent fiber populations in
vivo that have a pathological role in hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10305628
- **Project number:** 5F32DK123994-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Leon Joseph DeLalio
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $53,674
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-12-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10305628

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10305628, Functional and molecular identity of renal sensory nerves in hypertension (5F32DK123994-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10305628. Licensed CC0.

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