RENAL-HEAT-MAP - Researching Environmental Nephrotoxicity Attributed to Long-term HEAT: Mechanisms, Associations, and Prevention.

• Grant number: 25/03564-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Agreement: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
• Principal Investigator: Lucia da Conceição Andrade
• Grantee: Lucia da Conceição Andrade
• Principal researcher abroad: Alessandra Tammaro
• Institution abroad: Leiden University Medical Center ,
• Principal researcher abroad: Jesper Kers
• Institution abroad: Leiden University Medical Center ,
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Principal investigators: Elias David-Neto ; Maria de Fátima Andrade
• Associated researchers: Aiko PJ de Vries ; Camila Eleuterio Rodrigues ; Elisa Kayo Shibuya ; Elizabeti Yuriko Muto ; Emmanuel de Almeida Burdmann ; Geraldo Bezerra da Silva Junior ; Guilherme Martins Pereira ; Jeroen Lakerveld ; Leticia Urbano Cardoso de Castro ; Marco Aurélio de Menezes Franco ; Marjan Askari ; Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva ; Pérola de Castro Vasconcellos ; Regina Maura de Miranda ; Talita Rojas Cunha Sanches ; Thiago Nogueira ; Thomas Hankemeier

Abstract

Extreme heat events are closely associated with poor air quality, particularly elevated levels of fine particles (PM2.5) and ozone. These interconnected climate factors negatively impact human health, increasing morbidity and mortality. Kidneys, due to their role in maintaining homeostasis are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures. In fact extreme temperatures are associated with increased odds for kidney diseases. In the past five years, the role of air pollution as a risk factor for kidney disease has gained increasing recognition, with our own research PMkidney, funded by a previous NWO-FAPESP grant, contributing to this understanding. However, the impact of heat stress on pollution-induced kidney function decline remains largely overlooked. To address this, we established RENAL-HEAT-MAP with the aim of generating a mechanistic understanding of disease pathways affected by heat and pollution in animal models of kidney disease, mimicking vulnerable patient populations. This could reveal novel pathways for targeted therapies. Kidney transplant recipients, who rely on a single functioning kidney, are particularly susceptible to extreme climate events, which could influence post-transplant complications such as rejection, infections, and cancer, leading to graft failure and significant strain on both patients and healthcare systems. Despite daily exposure to environmental risks, these climate factors have been largely overlooked in transplant care, and there is a lack of education on these risks for both patients and kidney care providers. Our project aims to fill this critical knowledge gap, providing a significant opportunity for preventive interventions to prolong transplant longevity and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on kidney disease. (AU)