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Updated: May 12, 2026

A Large Animal Model for Acute Kidney Injury by Temporary Bilateral Renal Artery Occlusion
Published on: February 2, 2021
A rationally designed injury kidney targeting peptide library and its application in rescuing acute kidney injury
Yushuo Xiao1, Zhijian Tong1, Huidie Xu1
1School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Abstract:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high incidence and mortality rates. Present treatments are mostly symptomatic and cause side effects due to systemic distribution; thus, targeted kidney drug delivery is desired. Transmembrane kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM1) is expressed at low levels in normal kidneys but markedly up-regulated following injury, making it an ideal marker/target for injured kidneys. Here, assisted by AlphaFold, we constructed a library of 1885 peptides that target the extracellular Ig V domain of KIM1 based on interacting fragments from 47 potential KIM1 binding proteins followed by systemic optimization according to their binding energies with KIM1. Experimental validation of top candidates (TKP 1-5) demonstrated that TKP 4 efficiently targeted injured renal cells/kidneys, with its specificity demonstrated in KIM1 knockout cells/mice. TKP 4-decorating liposomes were loaded with nystatin, a renal-protective compound with systemic side effects, and efficiently targeted injured mouse kidneys and alleviated AKI. This work establishes a virtual platform to screen/identify drug delivery candidates with broad research/therapeutic potentials.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care

