# Mitochondrial Protection to Derive Expanded Aged Renal Glomerular Progenitor Cells

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2020 · $123,822

## Abstract

Abstract: Mitochondrial Protection to Derive Expanded Aged Renal Glomerular Progenitor Cells
Candidate: This K01 career development award application describes research and training activities for
Mariya T. Sweetwyne, Ph.D. a renal cell biologist in the department of Pathology at the University of
Washington, Seattle. Her immediate career goal is to combine her established training in renal biology with
newly acquired and on-going training in the biology of cellular aging. Long-term, she intends to build an
independent research program focused on developing interventions to ameliorate the impact of cellular aging
on both chronic and acute renal glomerular diseases. In this application, Dr. Sweetwyne proposes specific
aims to determine the role of mitochondrial dysfunction on the pathologies of aging glomerular epithelial cells.
Research: Aging in the kidney is marked by fibrotic changes to the glomerular filtration units, which lead to
increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease with advancing age. Previous studies from Dr. Sweetwyne
et al. demonstrated that treating old mice with a tetrapeptide, Elamipretide (SS-31/Bendavia), to preserve
mitochondrial inner membrane structure significantly reduced glomerular damage from renal aging, suggesting
that one key to renal plasticity in the aged lies in mitochondrial health. This proposal builds on those findings to
ask: (Aim 1) which aspect of mitochondrial function is improved in specific glomerular epithelial cells, (Aim 2)
how mitochondrial improvement results in observed reduction of glomerular cell senescence, (Aim 3) and
whether these known enhancements will affect the regenerative potential of aged and depleted renal
progenitor cells in mouse and man. Career Development Plan: This proposal serves Dr. Sweetwyne’s short
and long-term goals by building her bench expertise in the biology of aging in three critical areas: (1)
assessment of mitochondrial energetics, (2) utilization of proteomics, and (3) isolation and culture of primary
human urine-derived progenitor cells. Professional academic development activities include: formal graduate
course work in the biology of aging, presentation of research at national scientific conferences and routinely
scheduled meetings with career mentors. Environment: The environment for Dr. Sweetwyne’s training at the
University of Washington (UW) is exceptional. Her multidisciplinary mentoring team is comprised of senior
faculty who are experts in mitochondrial energetics, aging biology, or nephrology. Dr. Sweetwyne’s principal
mentor, Dr. Rabinovitch, is recognized as a leader in the field of aging and has successfully mentored multiple
trainees through K01 and K99/R00 awards. Co-mentor Dr. David Marcinek of UW Radiology is an expert in
mitochondrial energetics and oxidative stress in aging or injured muscle. Co-mentor Dr. Behzad Najafian of
UW Pathology is a board certified Clinical Renal Pathologist and is expert in culture of human renal glomerular
epi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9977071
- **Project number:** 5K01AG062757-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Mariya Ts'ana Sweetwyne
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $123,822
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-15 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9977071

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9977071, Mitochondrial Protection to Derive Expanded Aged Renal Glomerular Progenitor Cells (5K01AG062757-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9977071. Licensed CC0.

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