← brief for 2026-09-16 · Slowing decline

Spatially Distinct TREM2+ Macrophages Are Associated with Compartment-Specific Protection in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Key takeaways

In diabetic kidney disease, researchers mapped where a type of immune cell sits inside the kidney. These cells are called TREM2+ macrophages. When they were found in certain parts of the kidney, those parts showed less damage. This shows a link, not proof that the cells cause the protection. It is a clue for future treatments, not a treatment itself.

Who did this work

Jia Fu (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Yangyang Niu (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Dongyuan Chang (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Zeguo Sun (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Benjamin Lo (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Wenlin Wang (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Pinhong Wu (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Jessica Liu (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Wei Cai (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Weijia Zhang (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · Kyung Lee (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) · John Cijiang He (James J. Peters VA Medical Center)

Source

Paper · OpenAlex, Kidney disease concept sweep (verified C2778653478) · 2026-09-14
https://doi.org/10.1681/asn.0000001248