Hypoxia Responses in Physiology and Pathogenesis
Changes in tissue oxygen levels occur under pathological conditions and physiologically during development. The laboratory of Volker Haase studies hypoxia response pathways and their therapeutic applications.
Volker Haase Lab
The laboratory of Professor Volker Haase studies hypoxia response pathways and their therapeutic applications in erythropoiesis and iron metabolism, kidney injury and ischemic pre-conditioning, inflammation, kidney development and tumorigenesis. A major focus of the lab is on the interplay between hypoxia signaling, metabolism and cellular differentiation and its regulation by the prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) / hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) / von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL) signaling axis. Haase group members take advantage of powerful cutting-edge mouse genetics, biochemical, metabolomic and single cell approaches to study oxygen and mitochondrial metabolism in kidney, urologic and other diseases. Click on links for information about career opportunities in the Haase lab and recent publications.
research news and where you can meet us
Congratulations to our collaborator Mark Boothby on the acceptance of his PNAS paper
April 2019
Hypoxia-inducible factors in CD4+ T cells promote metabolism, switch cytokine secretion, and T cell help in humoral immunity
T cell help in humoral immunity includes interactions of B cells with activated extrafollicular CD4+ and follicular T helper (Tfh) cells. Each can promote antibody responses but Tfh cells play critical roles during germinal center (GC) reactions. After restimulation of their antigen receptor (TCR) by B cells, helper T cells act on B cells via CD40 ligand and secreted cytokines that guide Ig class switching. Hypoxia is a normal feature of GC, raising questions about molecular mechanisms governing the relationship between hypoxia response mechanisms and T cell help to antibody responses. More …
In the Literature Editorial by Volker Haase: ARNT as a novel target for anti-fibrotic therapy
September 2018
Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain proteins are involved in the regulation of cellular responses to environmental stresses such as hypoxia and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In a new preclinical study, the research group of Michael Zeisberg at the University of Göttingen has identified the obligatory HIF-α binding partner ARNT as an anti-fibrotic and pro-regenerative inducer of activin-like kinase (ALK) 3 / SMAD signaling. The study suggests that ARNT has therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). More …
Phase II study on HIF-PHI vadadustat in hemodialysis patients
April 2018
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) can correct anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) but are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular events. Vadadustat, an inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (HIF-PHD) dioxygenases, is an oral investigational agent in development for the treatment of anemia in patients with CKD. In a 16-week, open-label, multicenter, Phase 2 trial, Haase and colleagues evaluated vadadustat in 94 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis previously maintained on ESA therapy. More …
link to erythropoiesis, iron metabolism and renal anemia
link to media files on renal anemia
Meet Volker Haase at the 2019 National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meeting in Boston, MA
May 8-12, 2019
Professor Haase to speak on “Emerging Therapies for Renal Anemia” on Friday, May 10, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM,
Ballroom A, Hynes Convention Center
Session Title: “Anemia In Chronic Kidney Disease: Arming Clinicians with Meaningful Solutions”.
This session will review the pathophysiology and associated risks of anemia in CKD, as well as the best practices in the evaluation and management of anemia in patients with CKD. The potential role for emerging anemia therapies, such as PHD inhibitors for the optimal management of CKD related anemia will also be reviewed. The faculty will allocate ample time to interact with participants, allowing learners to challenge the speakers with practical questions, speakers, in return, can push learners to think deeper and learn through analogies.
Topics to be discussed:
Pathophysiology of Anemia in CKD and Associated Risks and Outcomes, 7:30 PM-7:55 PM – Speaker: Anil Agarwal, MD, FNKF
Current Management of Anemia in Patients with CKD, 7:55 PM-8:20 PM – Speaker: Jay Wish, MD, FACP, FASN
Clinical Update: Emerging Therapies to Manage CKD Related Anemia, 8:20 PM-8:45 PM – Speaker: Volker Haase, MD
Nanjing International Nephrology Forum and Annual Meeting of Jiangsu Hospital Association on Blood Purification, Nanjing, China
June 28-29, 2019
Volker Haase will discuss the role of mitochondrial and oxygen metabolism in kidney disease. More information to follow soon.