Discovery of Corisin: A Key Factor in Diabetic Kidney Fibrosis

The issue of kidney fibrosis caused by diabetes is a critical health challenge faced by the medical community worldwide. In a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers have uncovered the hidden factor behind this fibrosis: corisin, a small peptide produced by Staphylococcus bacteria in the gut.

Discovery of Corisin and Its Role in Kidney Fibrosis

A team of scientists led by Professor Isaac Khan and Professor Esteban Gabaza from the University of Illinois and the University of May, respectively, studied the relationship between corisin and kidney fibrosis in diabetic patients. The results were astounding, revealing that corisin plays a significant role in accelerating fibrosis by hastening the aging of kidney cells, leading to a cascade of inflammatory reactions, cell death, and scar tissue accumulation.

The study began by examining the blood and urine of patients suffering from diabetic kidney disease. Researchers found that corisin levels in the blood were significantly higher compared to healthy individuals and that these levels correlated directly with the extent of kidney damage.

How Does Corisin Reach the Kidneys?

Research teams collaborated with Professor Diwakar Shukla from the University of Illinois to conduct computer simulations and laboratory experiments to trace the path of corisin from the gut to the bloodstream. They discovered that corisin can bind to albumin, one of the most common proteins in the blood, which helps it travel through the bloodstream to the kidneys. There, it detaches from albumin to attack the delicate structures responsible for filtering blood and urine.

Antibody Trials and Prospects for New Treatment

To prove that corisin is the main factor behind kidney damage, researchers tested antibodies against corisin in mice. The results were highly encouraging, showing a significant reduction in the rate of kidney deterioration. These findings open the door to developing a new treatment based on corisin antibodies, although such antibodies have not yet been approved for human use.

Researchers now plan to test anti-corisin treatments in more advanced animal models, such as pigs, to study how they can be modified to be safe for human use. A joint disclosure of the invention of corisin antibodies has been filed between the University of Illinois and the University of May.

Conclusion

This study suggests that blocking corisin with antibodies or other targeted therapies may slow or prevent kidney fibrosis in diabetic patients, enhancing their quality of life. This discovery represents a significant step toward developing new treatments that could be effective in combating diabetic kidney fibrosis, which currently has no definitive cure.