MY MENTOR & I PERSPECTIVE
Bone and kidney crosstalk
The regulation of mineral metabolism results from the interplay of four endocrine organs forming the parathyroid-intestine-bone-kidney axis. In this context, the skeleton stores minerals, calcium and phosphate, within its matrix and orchestrates the regulation of their levels, interacting with kidney. Here we give an overview of the main pathways involved in the crosstalk between these two organs. Moreover, we described the endocrine network characterized by bone and kidney derived-hormones, and further signals, i.e. parathyroid hormone, that target them.
Giulia Battafarano
Giulia Battafarano is a PhD student at the Department of DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology at the University of Rome “Sapienza”. Her research aims to understand the skeletal alterations in patients affected by kidney diseases. Particularly, she is studying the primary bone defects in Cystinosis, analyzing the effects of cystinosin deficiency on bone cells. She hopes that her study will lead to resolve the growth impairment and osteopenia observed in patients
Andrea Del Fattore
Dr Andrea Del Fattore is head of the Bone Physiopathology Group, at the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome. His main research topics are the rare diseases (i.e. Gorham-Stout disease and Cystinosis) and the involvement of extracellular vesicles in the bone remodeling activity.
