Human kidney protein regulating heart contraction and blood pressure

Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven have identified a novel human kidney protein called renalase that regulates both heart contraction and blood pressure.

More than eight million people in the United States have some form of kidney impairment and at least 500,000 have end-stage kidney disease for which treatment is often limited to dialysis. Elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular disease are commonly associated problems.

Renalase is secreted by the kidneys and circulates freely in the bloodstream. Patients with kidney disease have very low levels of renalase, suggesting that its absence may lead to the cardiovascular complications found in end-stage renal disease.
According to the study, renalase is a strong candidate for the treatment of advanced kidney and cardiovascular disease because it breaks down circulating cardiovascular stimulatory compounds.

“This is one of the most exciting findings of kidney metabolism in recent years,” said Jianchao Xu, an associate research scientist, attending physician and lead author of the study. “It has immediate implications for therapy.”
Like erythropoietin, the human renalase protein could be injected to replace what is lost in kidney disease( Yale School of Medicine and the Journal of Clinical Investigation).