# Understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of kidney-derived vasopressin

> **NIH DK K08** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2026 · $158,436

## Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 15% of the US adult population 30 and vasopressin is
associated with progression of non-diabetic, diabetic, and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). 1-18
However, the specific mechanism(s) through which vasopressin worsens progression of kidney
disease are unclear. Vasopressin is the biologically active end-product of a 164 amino acid pre-
pro-peptide and physiologic production is currently thought to be limited to the brain. We
recently found that vasopressin is also made in the kidney under physiologic conditions and
expression is increased in PKD in both humans and mice. Therefore, the aim of this project is to
understand the function, regulation, and impact of kidney-derived vasopressin in health and
disease. We have preliminary data that show that mice that lack kidney-derived vasopressin in
the distal nephron have altered water balance. We propose to (1) determine the mechanism
through which kidney-derived vasopressin influences water balance and (2) determine if kidney-
derived vasopressin is involved cyst growth and progression of PKD. Successful completion of
this project will help clarify the mechanism(s) through which the interplay between local and
systemic vasopressin signaling impacts kidney disease, potentially identifying new therapeutic
targets and approaches for CKD and PKD. Work will occur in one of the largest and most
scientifically diverse nephrology divisions in the world, within the Vanderbilt University Medical
Center Department of Medicine. This project has already received extensive external (Harold
Amos Medical Faculty Development Award – 2020) and institutional support in the form of
financial support and a comprehensive career development plan involving internal and external
mentorship, workshops, and coursework.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11316992
- **Project number:** 5K08DK135931-04
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Juan Pablo Arroyo Ornelas
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** DK
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $158,436
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-01T00:00:00 → 2028-03-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11316992

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11316992, Understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of kidney-derived vasopressin (5K08DK135931-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-20 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11316992. Licensed CC0.

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