# The Role of LIM-nebulette in podocyte mechanoresponse

> **NIH NIH F31** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2024 · $48,814

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Podocyte abnormalities have been identified in many kidney diseases. The structural role of podocytes in the
filtration barrier is known to be a dynamic process in which the podocyte actively restructures its actin
cytoskeleton. Mechanical stress, such as severe hypertension, can have a detrimental impact on this process.
LIM-nebulette is an actin binding protein within podocytes. We hypothesize that this protein helps podocytes
adapt to the mechanical microenvironment in vivo. We have engineered an instrument with deformable surfaces
to simulate the mechanical tensile forces experienced by podocytes in vivo. The goal of this project is to combine
high-content image analysis with a novel mechanical stretch platform to understand how podocytes maintain
their structural integrity against injury and use this system to study the operation of an important cell signaling
pathway in the glomerular environment. Stretched and control samples will also be collected for fluorescent
microscopy, protein expression, phosphproteomics and co-immunopreciptation to determine nebulette’s
signaling network. Understanding the role of LIM-nebulette in maintaining podocyte cytoskeletal integrity could
potentially reveal new avenues for stabilizing these cells and, consequently, preserving kidney function. By
compiling and analyzing this data, we aim to clarify the role of LIM-nebulette in protecting podocytes. This project
will yield cellular level insights into podocyte activity under glomerular environmental stress conditions by
examining morphometric changes and alterations in mechanobiological signaling that may have an impact on
chronic kidney disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10998990
- **Project number:** 1F31DK141253-01
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Jacob Matthew Wright
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $48,814
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10998990

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10998990, The Role of LIM-nebulette in podocyte mechanoresponse (1F31DK141253-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10998990. Licensed CC0.

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