Tarek M. Ashkar (El-Achkar), MD

Our lab has been focusing on the role of Tamm-Horsfall protein (Uromodulin) in Kidney Injury and inflammation. We uncovered a novel protective role for Uromodulin in acute kidney injury by down-regulating the inflammatory response and modulating neutrophil infiltration. Our current investigations are aimed at defining the molecular mechanism involved in this regulation, with a long term goal of using such insights to design novel therapeutic tools to treat patient with Acute Kidney Injury.

We are also interested in understanding and defining tubular cross-talk that occurs between various nephron segments, and the ensuing interaction with the renal immune system in physiological states and during kidney injury. We use several animal models for kidney injury, and various genetic, molecular and cell biology techniques, with special expertise in various forms of microscopy and quantitative image analysis. We also developed advanced expertise in performing immuno-fluorescence guided Laser Micro-dissection (LMD) to dissect specific nephron segments for down-stream transcriptomic and proteomic analysis.

Because of our expertise in tissue interrogation, we also developed interest in uncovering cellular and molecular omics signatures from human biopsy tissue to correlate with disease phenotype and outcomes. The goal is to implement a precision medicine approach to understand disease pathogenesis and treatment. Using this approach, we are currently involved in a large cooperative study to understand the pathogenesis of human kidney stone disease by molecular interrogation of kidney papillary biopsies taken during surgery.

Tamm-Horsfall Protein Regulates Granulopoiesis and Systemic Neutrophil Homeostasis.
Micanovic R; Chitteti BR; Dagher PC; Srour EF; Khan S; Hato T; Lyle A; Tong Y; Wu XR; El-Achkar TM; Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN 2015 Jan 2

Immunofluorescence laser micro-dissection of specific nephron segments in the mouse kidney allows targeted downstream proteomic analysis.
Micanovic R; Khan S; El-Achkar TM; Physiological reports 2015 Feb 12

Tubular Cross-Talk in Acute Kidney Injury: a Story of Sense and Sensibility.
El-Achkar TM; Dagher PC; American journal of physiology. Renal physiology 2015 Apr 15

An intricate network of conserved DNA upstream motifs and associated transcription factors regulate the expression of uromodulin gene.
Srivastava R; Micanovic R; El-Achkar TM; Janga SC; The Journal of urology 2014 Mar 1

Sisters in arms: myeloid and tubular epithelial cells shape renal innate immunity.
Hato T; El-Achkar TM; Dagher PC; American journal of physiology. Renal physiology 2013 Mar 20

Tamm-Horsfall protein translocates to the basolateral domain of thick ascending limbs, interstitium, and circulation during recovery from acute kidney injury.
El-Achkar TM; McCracken R; Liu Y; Heitmeier MR; Bourgeois S; Ryerse J; Wu XR; American journal of physiology. Renal physiology 2013 Feb 6

Modulation of apoptosis by ischemic preconditioning: an emerging role for miR-21.
El-Achkar TM; Kidney international 2012 Dec

Endotoxin uptake by S1 proximal tubular segment causes oxidative stress in the downstream S2 segment.
Kalakeche R; Hato T; Rhodes G; Dunn KW; El-Achkar TM; Plotkin Z; Sandoval RM; Dagher PC; Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN 2011 Jul 22

Sepsis induces an increase in thick ascending limb Cox-2 that is TLR4 dependent.
El-Achkar TM; Plotkin Z; Marcic B; Dagher PC; American journal of physiology. Renal physiology 2007 Jul 18

Renal Toll-like receptors: recent advances and implications for disease.
El-Achkar TM; Dagher PC; Nature clinical practice. Nephrology 2006 Oct

Approach to acute renal failure with multiple myeloma: role of plasmapheresis.
El-Achkar TM; Sharfuddin AA; Dominguez J; Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis : official peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy 2005 Oct

American Physiology Society

American Society of Nephrology

Acute Kidney Injury

Uromodulin associated kidney disease