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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Intravascular Delivery of Biologics to the Rat Kidney
Published on: September 1, 2016
Resolving the VEGF paradox in DKD: VEGFR1 blockade shows promising renoprotection
Jakob A Østergaard1, Mark E Cooper2
1Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract:
Diabetic kidney disease remains a major clinical challenge despite advances in renoprotective therapies. In this issue of Kidney International, Qi et al. report that selective modulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system differentially affects diabetic kidney disease progression across multiple advanced diabetic models. Whereas VEGF-A or VEGF receptor 2 inhibition exacerbated albuminuria, targeted VEGF receptor 1 blockade consistently conferred renoprotection, including in established disease. These findings clarify prior conflicting data and identify VEGF receptor 1 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for diabetic kidney disease.
Insights
Selective inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) shows promise for treating diabetic kidney disease. Blocking VEGFR1 protected against kidney damage in advanced models, unlike other VEGF pathway inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a significant complication of diabetes, leading to kidney failure.
- Current renoprotective therapies have limitations in fully halting DKD progression.
- The role of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system in DKD is complex and debated.
