Infection and Metabolic Diseases
Kidney Diseases in Taiwan
(A)
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are proteins that recognize specific molecular patterns of pathogens. In the past years, our groups focused on the role of these leptospiral components in the induction of an innate immune response for the defense of the host. In particular, we have shown that purified leptospiral outer membranes (LOMPs) from pathogenic Leptospira shermani are specifically recognized by TLR1/TLR2, via preferential activation of the MAP kinase p38 pathway, and thereby the up-regulation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines involved in tubulointerstitial nephritis. Currently, our research group addresses on (1) establishing of a suitable murine model of acute and chronic leptospirosis (2) using advanced transcriptome and proteomic technique to investigate the nature course of acute leptospirosis and the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis (3) extending our understanding on the characterization of TLRs in renal cells and their possible roles to the pathogenesis of other acute or chronic renal inflammatory diseases which are, at present, not fully characterized and studied.
(B)
Diabetic nephropathy has become the major cause of end-stage renal disease
(ESRD) in the western world and is forecast to become the most frequent cause of
ESRD in the developing countries in other areas, including Taiwan. The
pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and its association with hypertension,
sodium retention, accelerating renal damage, is complex. It involves genetic
factors, altered renal sodium handling with sodium retention, metabolic
disturbances and oxidative stress with the formation of advanced glycation end
products (AGE) and reactive oxygen species. In cooperation with excellent
research group leaded by Professor Lin CL in Chia-yi CGMH, we are also
interested on the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and the possible
therapies that can slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
