Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of ALIGN, a Randomized Controlled Study of Atrasentan in Patients With IgA Nephropathy.

Introduction: Endothelin A (ETA) receptor activation is a driver of proteinuria, kidney inflammation, and fibrosis in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Atrasentan, a selective ETA receptor antagonist, has potential to reduce proteinuria and preserve kidney function in IgAN. ALIGN (NCT04573478) is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of atrasentan in patients with IgAN at high risk of kidney function loss.

Deciphering the colostral-immunity transfer: from mammary gland to neonates small intestine.

Colostrum, the initial mammary secretion produced by various mammals following birth, is a conduit for maternal immunity transfer in diverse mammalian species. Concurrently, many cellular processes are occurring in the neonatal small intestine to prepare it to receive molecular signals from a superfood essential for the neonate's health and development. During the prepartum colostrum secretion, the newborn intestine undergoes transient alterations in the intestinal barrier, primarily regulating immunoglobulin absorption.

Inhibition of HIF-prolyl hydroxylase promotes renal tubule regeneration via the reprogramming of renal proximal tubular cells.

The ability of the mammalian kidney to repair or regenerate after acute kidney injury (AKI) is very limited. The maladaptive repair of AKI promotes progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, new strategies to promote the repair/regeneration of injured renal tubules after AKI are urgently needed.

GATA1-mediated macrophage polarization via TrkB/cGMP-PKG signaling pathway to promote the development of preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. PE poses a substantial threat to the health of both mothers and fetuses, and currently, there is no definitive treatment available. Recent studies have indicated that the transcription factor GATA1 may be implicated in the pathological processes of PE, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Enhancing Neuron Activity Promotes Functional Recovery by Inhibiting Microglia-Mediated Synapse Elimination After Stroke.

Background: Activating glutamatergic neurons in the ipsilesional motor cortex can promote functional recovery after stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Clarifying key molecular mechanisms involved in recovery could help understand the development of neuromodulation strategies after stroke.