# Children's Exposure to Metals, MicroRNAs and Biomarkers of Renal Health

> **NIH NIH R00** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2020 · $128,166

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Toxic metals including cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) are known renal toxicants in adults;
however, their renal toxicity in developing children is understudied. Prenatal and early childhood are potential
susceptibility windows for renal toxic metals as these life stages are associated with development and
differentiation of renal filtration, secretion, and reabsorptive systems. The aim of this study is to determine
whether exposure to heavy metals early in life contributes to renal toxicity in children and whether miRNAs
mediate metal nephrotoxicity. To accomplish our goals, we will leverage an established longitudinal birth cohort
in Mexico City - the Programming Research in Obesity, GRowth Environment and Social Stress (PROGRESS)
study, which has measured levels of renal toxic metals (Cd, Hg, Pb) longitudinally in blood, hair, and nails as
well as blood pressure, and collected urine at each visit. In addition to childhood blood pressure, the proposed
research will examine preclinical indicators of renal dysfunction in three discrete regions of the kidney: the
glomerulus, proximal tubule and distal nephron (i.e. distal tubule and collecting duct). Dr. Sanders will receive
training in renal developmental physiology, as well as advanced biostatistical methods to address innovative
hypotheses regarding the origins of toxic renal programming in children, an understudied aspect of
environmental health. The mentoring team includes internationally recognized scientists with specializations in
nephrology, biostatistics, metals toxicology, epidemiology, and epigenetics, including Dr. Lisa Satlin, Dr. Chris
Gennings, Dr. Robert Wright, Dr. Andrea Baccarelli, and Dr. Stephanie Engel. This K99/R00 proposal
leverages Dr. Sanders' previous training in exposure science, epidemiology, and epigenetics with new
specialization in renal physiology and biostatistics; Dr. Sanders will also benefit from supplemental toxicology
and clinical training. The following aims will be accomplished: 1) Determine whether prenatal/early life metal
exposure predicts childhood blood pressure or functional biomarkers in specific kidney regions. 2) Apply a
novel biostatistical approach to enable “detection” of metal-associated renal toxicity that is global or site-
specific. 3) Examine the role of urinary miRNAs as biomarkers/mediators of metal-renal health relationships.
These findings will advance the field of children's renal health as well as generate new hypotheses about
metals and specific mechanisms that may contribute to the pathophysiology of adverse renal outcomes. The
proposed training and research activities will provide Dr. Sanders with the skills to become an independent
investigator studying early life metal exposure and renal development in future epidemiologic or toxicologic
research activities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9990752
- **Project number:** 5R00ES027508-04
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Alison P Sanders
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $128,166
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-15 → 2021-07-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9990752

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9990752, Children's Exposure to Metals, MicroRNAs and Biomarkers of Renal Health (5R00ES027508-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9990752. Licensed CC0.

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