About the VHIR
Here at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) we promote biomedical research, innovation and teaching. Over 1,800 people are seeking to understand diseases today so the treatment can be improved tomorrow.
Research
We are working to understand diseases, to find out how they operate and to create better treatments for patients. Get to know about our groups and their lines of research.
People
People are the centre of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). This is why we are bound by the principles of freedom of research, gender equality and professional attitudes that HRS4R promotes.
Clinical trials
Our work is not just basic or translational; we are leaders in clinical research. Enter and find about the clinical trials we are conducting and why we are a world reference in this field.
Progress
Our aim is to make the research carried out at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) a driving force for transformation. How? By identifying new channels and solutions for the promotion of people's health and well-being.
Core facilities
We offer specialist support for researchers, internal and external alike, ranging from specific services to preparing complete projects. All this, from a perspective of quality and speed of response.
News
We offer you a gateway for staying up to date on everything going on at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), from the latest news to future solidarity activities and initiatives that we are organising.
Our main scientific interest is to understand, from a multidisciplinary and translational approach, the molecular and cellular processes leading to renal dysfunction in several kidney pathologies. Specifically, our research lines are
We are experts on the following areas:
To sum up, our research main objective is to combine –omic data from cellular and animal models with patients’ data to identify novel biomarkers and possible treatments for several renal diseases.
Among the genes identified in our laboratory that are kidney-specific and regulated by androgens at the transcriptional level we are particularly focused on the one that codes for the kidney androgen-regulated protein (KAP). Besides characterization of the functional promoter elements that enable KAP expression in proximal tubule epithelial cells, we have generated a transgenic (Tg) mouse model that overexpresses KAP in proximal tubule cells under the presence of androgens, in order to mimick the endogenous KAP expression pattern. KAP Tg mice show altered lipid metabolism, glycosuria, proteinuria and hypertension, as well as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis mediated by increased oxidative stress. We are currently working in this Tg model and also preparing conditional knock-out mice to further caharacterize the role of KAP in renal pathophysiology. Moreover, we are also studying the role of KAP in the metabolic syndrome. Besides KAP, we are studying the role of KAP-interacting immunophilins in inflammation and kidney fibrosis.
IP: Anna Meseguer Navarro
Idiopathic nonfamilial focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG) is a disease with no treatment, whose usual outcome is end-stage renal disease frequently recidivating after transplantation. In close cooperation with the Nephrology and Paediatric Nephrology services of Vall d'Hebron hospital together with hospitals throughout the country that provide a significant number of patients, we intend to identify the hypothetical blood factor that causes the proteinuria observed in this disease. Identification of such plasma factor, by means of differential proteomic analysis, would allow the definition of therapeutic targets for the disease, which currently lacks an effective treatment. Our second objective is to find biomarkers that enable us to foresee a potential recidivation and the consequent loss of the graft following renal transplantation to FSG patients.
IP: Joan López Hellin
Pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) constitude a high risk group for cardiovascular disease (CVD) related to traditional and non-traditional risk factors. We are interested in studying the relationship between traditional CVD risk factors (obesity, overweight, anemia, dyslipemia, malnutrition, hypertension, and non-traditional CVD risk factors (homocysteine, asymmetric dymethylarginine (ADMA), FGF23, ultraselective protein C (PCR) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in children and adolescents with CKD, based on its severity and duration. Further, we are also interested in finding a biomarker to identify early in the disease, those patients with increased CVD risk and poor outcome.
IP: Gema Ariceta Iraola
Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is one of the major causes of graft loss in kidney-transplanted patients. The pathogenetic mechanisms of CAN are probably multifactorial, including early noxious agents as a consequence of ischemia/ reperfusion of the graft or high loading doses of anticalcineurinics (aCN), and also chronic damage following aCN therapy, rejection or other reasons. We want to determine the proteomic and genomic changes occurring in tubular cells after different noxious agents (cyclosporin, tacrolimus, other renal toxicants, hypoxia), and also the effects caused by immunophilin silencing (anticalcineurin receptors) in the renal proximal tubule cells. Our objective is to identify specific markers of kidney injury that would be useful to anticipate toxicity or injury in early starges. Those putative markers will be clinically validated in collaboration with the Nephrology and the Pathology services of Vall d’Hebron Hospital.
IP: -
IP: Mercedes López González Collaborators: Gema Ariceta Iraola, Laura Donadeu Casassas, Delphine Kervella Funding agency: Sociedad Española de Trasplantes Funding: 20000 Reference: SET/AYUDAS.PROYECTOS/2023/LOPEZ Duration: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025
IP: Anna Meseguer Navarro Collaborators: Gema Ariceta Iraola, Gerard Cantero Recasens Funding agency: Sociedad Española de Nefrología (S.E.N.) Funding: 24000 Reference: SENEFRO/PROJECTES/2023/MESEGUER Duration: 27/11/2023 - 26/11/2025
IP: Concepció Jacobs Cachá Collaborators: Manuel Hernández González, Natalia Ramos Terrades, Joana Sellarés Roig, Carmen Llorens Cebriá, Mercedes López González, Janire Perurena Prieto Funding agency: Sociedad Española de Nefrología (S.E.N.) Funding: 24000 Reference: SENEFRO/PROJECTES/2023/JACOBS Duration: 23/12/2023 - 22/12/2025
IP: Francesc Moreso Mateos Collaborators: Gema Ariceta Iraola, Joan López Hellin Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III Funding: 42900 Reference: PMP22/00119 Duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025
PMID: 36806942 Journal: JNCI cancer spectrum Year: 2023 Reference: JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2023 Mar 1;7(2):pkad014. doi: 10.1093/jncics/pkad014. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Apala, Juan V; Bueno, Maria J; Guerra, Juan; Malon, Diego; Malumbres, Marcos; Manso, Luis; Mouron, Silvana; Munoz, Manuel; Quintela-Fandino, Miguel; Rodriguez, Sandra et al. DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkad014
PMID: 36988689 Journal: PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY Year: 2023 Reference: Pediatr Nephrol. 2023 Oct;38(10):3389-3399. doi: 10.1007/s00467-023-05932-y. Epub 2023 Mar 29. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Ariceta, Gema; Aufricht, Christoph; Bakkaloglu, Sevcan A; Consolo, Silvia; Edefonti, Alberto; Grassi, Maria Rosa; Gual, Alejandro Cruz; Holtta, Tuula; Jankauskiene, Augustina; Klaus, Guenter et al. DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-05932-y
PMID: 36996481 Journal: Kidney360 Year: 2023 Reference: Kidney360. 2023 Mar 30. doi: 10.34067/KID.0000000000000115. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Allende, Natalia; Ariceta, Gema; Avila, Ana; Barros, Xoana; Bravo, Luis; Cabello, Virginia; Caravaca-Fontan, Fernando; Cavero, Teresa; Cruz, Sonia; Da Silva, Iara et al. DOI: 10.34067/KID.0000000000000115
PMID: 37014530 Journal: PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY Year: 2023 Reference: Pediatr Nephrol. 2023 Sep;38(9):3035-3042. doi: 10.1007/s00467-023-05913-1. Epub 2023 Apr 4. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Adams, B; Aksenova, M; Alpay, H; Andersen, R; Ariceta, G; Ariceta, G; Aris, A M; Atmis, B; Baudouin, V; Bayrakci, U S et al. DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-05913-1
PMID: 34602313 Journal: EUROPEAN UROLOGY Year: 2022 Reference: Eur Urol. 2022 Jan;81(1):124-125. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2021.09.019. Epub 2021 Sep 30. Impact factor: 20.096 Publication type: Letter whit IF Authors: Morote, Juan; Diaz, Fernando; Celma, Anna; Planas, Jacques; Trilla, Enrique et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2021.09.019
PMID: 34840098 Journal: Actas Urologicas Espanolas Year: 2022 Reference: Actas Urol Esp (Engl Ed). 2022 Jan-Feb;46(1):57-62. doi: 10.1016/j.acuroe.2021.05.004. Epub 2021 Nov 25. Impact factor: 0.994 Publication type: Paper in national publication Authors: Trilla, E; Raventos, C X; Salvador, C; Lopez-Molina, C; Carrion, A; Campistol, M; Pinero, A; Lozano, F et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.acuroe.2021.05.004
PMID: 34554648 Journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION Year: 2022 Reference: Am J Transplant. 2022 Feb;22(2):673-675. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16855. Epub 2021 Oct 5. Impact factor: 8.086 Publication type: Letter or abstract Authors: Toapanta, Nestor; Esperalba, Juliana; Campos-Varela, Isabel; Pont, Teresa; Len, Oscar; Campins, Magda; Moreso, Francesc; Crespo, Elena; Munoz, Marina; Lopez, Manuel et al. DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16855
PMID: 34352790 Journal: UROLOGIA INTERNATIONALIS Year: 2022 Reference: Urol Int. 2022;106(2):154-162. doi: 10.1159/000517543. Epub 2021 Aug 5. Impact factor: 2.089 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Raventos Busquets, Carles X; Semidey, M Eugenia; Lozano Palacio, Fernando; Carrion Puig, Albert; Aula Olivar, Ana; De Torres Ramirez, Ines M; Trilla Herrera, Enrique et al. DOI: 10.1159/000517543
PMID: 34610128 Journal: NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION Year: 2021 Reference: Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2021 Oct 5. pii: 6381717. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfab285. Impact factor: 5.992 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Domingo-Gallego, Andrea, Pybus, Marc, Madariaga, Leire, Pinero-Fernandez, Juan Alberto, Gonzalez-Pastor, Sara, Lopez-Gonzalez, Mercedes, Simarro-Rueda, Esther, Quintanilla-Mata, Maria Luisa, Matoses-Ruiperez, Maria Luisa, Ejarque-Vila, Laia et al. DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfab285
PMID: 34221390 Journal: Clinical Kidney Journal Year: 2021 Reference: Clin Kidney J. 2020 Dec 14;14(7):1826-1834. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfaa265. eCollection 2021 Jul. Impact factor: 4.452 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Roca, Neus, Madrid, Alvaro, Lopez, Mercedes, Fraga, Gloria, Jatem, Elias, Gonzalez, Jorge, Martinez, Cristina, Segarra, Alfons et al. DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfaa265
PMID: 33988730 Journal: PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY Year: 2021 Reference: Pediatr Nephrol. 2021 Nov;36(11):3733-3740. doi: 10.1007/s00467-021-05089-6. Epub 2021 May 14. Impact factor: 3.714 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Paglialonga, Fabio, Consolo, Silvia, Brambilla, Marta, Caporale, Olga, Gual, Alejandro Cruz, Grassi, Maria Rosa, Montini, Giovanni et al. DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-05089-6
PMID: 33987651 Journal: HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS Year: 2021 Reference: Hum Mol Genet. 2021 Jul 9;30(15):1413-1428. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddab131. Impact factor: 6.15 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Duran, Monica, Burballa, Carla, Cantero-Recasens, Gerard, Butnaru, Cristian M, Malhotra, Vivek, Ariceta, Gema, Sarro, Eduard, Meseguer, Anna et al. DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab131
PMID: 32279925 Journal: HUMAN IMMUNOLOGY Year: 2020 Reference: Hum Immunol. 2020 Jun;81(6):293-299. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2020.03.003. Epub 2020 Apr 9. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Arias-Cabrales, Carlos; Burballa, Carla; Crespo, Marta; Garcia, Carme; Mir, Marisa; Pascual, Julio; Perez-Saez, Maria Jose; Redondo-Pachon, Dolores; Reed, Elaine F; Valenzuela, Nicole M et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2020.03.003
PMID: 33133750 Journal: Journal of pediatric intensive care Year: 2020 Reference: J Pediatr Intensive Care. 2020 Dec;9(4):304-306. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1709655. Epub 2020 Apr 17. Impact factor: 0 Publication type: Letter or abstract Authors: Esmel-Vilomara, Roger, Cruz, Alejandro, Inoriza, Cristina, Andreu, Eva, Munar, Francisca et al. DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1709655
PMID: 31807296 Journal: Clinical Kidney Journal Year: 2019 Reference: Clin Kidney J. 2019 Mar 16;12(6):836-839. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfz022. eCollection 2019 Dec. Impact factor: 2.975 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Roca, Neus, Munoz, Marina, Cruz, Alejandro, Vilalta, Ramon, Lara, Enrique, Ariceta, Gema et al. DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfz022
PMID: 31611066 Journal: KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL Year: 2019 Reference: Kidney Int. 2019 Dec;96(6):1374-1380. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2019.06.026. Epub 2019 Aug 14. Impact factor: 8.306 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Porrini, Esteban, Diaz, Juan Manuel, Moreso, Francesc, Lauzurrica, Ricardo, Ibernon, Meritxel, Torres, Irene Silva, Ruiz, Rocio Benitez, Rodriguez Rodriguez, Ana Elena, Mallen, Patricia Delgado, Bayes-Genis, Beatriz et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2019.06.026
PMID: 28411971 Journal: Year: 2018 Reference: Nefrologia (Engl Ed). 2018 Mar-Apr;38(2):207-212. doi: 10.1016/j.nefro.2017.02.007. Epub 2017 Apr 12. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Arias-Cabrales, Carlos; Burballa, Carla; Cecchini, Lluis; Crespo, Marta; Frances, Albert; Fumado, Lluis; Mir, Marisa; Pascual, Julio; Perez-Saez, Maria Jose; Redondo-Pachon, Dolores et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2017.02.007
PMID: 29773235 Journal: Year: 2018 Reference: Nefrologia (Engl Ed). 2018 Sep-Oct;38(5):528-534. doi: 10.1016/j.nefro.2018.02.008. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Arias-Cabrales, Carlos; Burballa, Carla; Cecchini, Lluis; Crespo, Marta; Frances, Albert; Fumado, Lluis; Mir, Marisa; Pascual, Julio; Perez-Saez, Maria Jose; Redondo-Pachon, Dolores et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2018.02.008
PMID: 29884503 Journal: Year: 2018 Reference: Nefrologia (Engl Ed). 2018 Sep-Oct;38(5):503-513. doi: 10.1016/j.nefro.2018.03.003. Epub 2018 Jun 5. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Arias-Cabrales, Carlos; Bermejo, Sheila; Burballa, Carla; Buron, Andrea; Buxeda, Anna; Crespo, Marta; Mir, Marisa; Pascual, Julio; Perez-Saez, Maria Jose; Redondo-Pachon, Dolores et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2018.03.003
PMID: 28471339 Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Year: 2017 Reference: J Child Sex Abus. 2017 Apr;26(3):246-269. doi: 10.1080/10538712.2017.1288186. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Avecilla-Palau, Angels; Cobo, Jesus; Faro, Concepcio; Fernandez, Maria-Isabel; Lopetegui, Lourdes; Lopez, Silvia; Martinez, Cristina; Monteagudo, Monica; Pujol-Ribera, Enriqueta et al. DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2017.1288186
PMID: 28648215 Journal: NEFROLOGIA Year: 2017 Reference: Nefrologia. 2017 May-Jun;37(3):355. doi: 10.1016/j.nefro.2017.05.003. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Arias-Cabrales, Carlos; Bermejo, Sheila; Burballa, Carla; Crespo, Marta; Gimeno, Javier; Mir, Marisa; Pascual, Julio; Perez-Saez, Maria Jose; Redondo-Pachon, Dolores; Sanchez-Guerri, Ignacio et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2017.05.003
PMID: 26422688 Journal: Gaceta Sanitaria Year: 2016 Reference: Gac Sanit. 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):55-8. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2015.08.006. Epub 2015 Oct 1. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Anton, Laura; Fernandez, Esteve; Fu, Marcela; Martinez, Cristina; Martinez-Sanchez, Jose M; Quiros, Nuria; Riccobene, Anna; Salto, Esteve et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2015.08.006
PMID: 27595515 Journal: NEFROLOGIA Year: 2016 Reference: Nefrologia. 2016 Nov-Dec;36(6):660-666. doi: 10.1016/j.nefro.2016.05.018. Epub 2016 Aug 30. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Arias-Cabrales, Carlos; Bermejo, Sheila; Burballa, Carla; Crespo, Marta; Gimeno, Javier; Mir, Marisa; Pascual, Julio; Perez-Saez, Maria Jose; Redondo-Pachon, Dolores; Sanchez-Guerri, Ignacio et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.nefro.2016.05.018
PMID: 27663779 Journal: BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH Year: 2016 Reference: BMC Health Serv Res. 2016 Sep 23;16(1):517. doi: 10.1186/s12913-016-1764-0. Impact factor: Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Ballbe, Montse; Fernandez, Esteve; Fu, Marcela; Martinez, Cristina; Vilardell, Miquel et al. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1764-0
PMID: 26440456 Journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY Year: 2016 Reference: Int J Cardiol. 2016 Jan 1;202:485-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.09.048. Epub 2015 Sep 25. Impact factor: 4.036 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Baneras, Jordi, Buera, Irene, Oristrell, Gerard, Sansano, Irene, Fort, Joan, Ibernon, Meritxell, Marti, Gerard, Barrabes, Jose A, Dorado, David Garcia et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.09.048
PMID: 26239461 Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine Year: 2015 Reference: J Clin Med. 2015 May 18;4(5):998-1009. doi: 10.3390/jcm4050998. Impact factor: 0 Publication type: Review in international publication Authors: Seron, Daniel, Ramos, Natalia, Espinel, Eugenia, Agraz, Irene, Ibernon, Meritxell, Fort, Joan et al. DOI: 10.3390/jcm4050998
PMID: 25073029 Journal: TRANSPL IMMUNOL Year: 2014 Reference: Transpl Immunol. 2014 Sep;31(3):152-6. doi: 10.1016/j.trim.2014.07.001. Epub 2014 Jul 26. Impact factor: 1.832 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Ibernon, M, Moreso, F, O'Valle, F, Grinyo, J M, Moral, R G, Seron, D et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2014.07.001
PMID: 24770618 Journal: TRANSPLANTATION Year: 2014 Reference: Transplantation. 2014 Sep 15;98(5):537-42. doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000000103. Impact factor: 3.535 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Azancot, Maria A, Ramos, Natalia, Moreso, Francesc J, Ibernon, Meritxell, Espinel, Eugenia, Torres, Irina B, Fort, Joan, Seron, Daniel et al. DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000000103
PMID: 24321303 Journal: TRANSPLANT REV-ORLAN Year: 2014 Reference: Transplant Rev (Orlando). 2014 Jan;28(1):21-5. doi: 10.1016/j.trre.2013.10.006. Epub 2013 Oct 26. Impact factor: 2.66 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Ibernon, Meritxell, Moreso, Francesc, Seron, Daniel et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2013.10.006
PMID: 25018901 Journal: Kidney international supplements Year: 2011 Reference: Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2011 Aug;1(2):36-39. doi: 10.1038/kisup.2011.10. Impact factor: 0 Publication type: Paper in international publication Authors: Ibernon, Meritxell, Moreso, Francesc, Seron, Daniel et al. DOI: 10.1038/kisup.2011.10
PhD student: Mónica Vall Palomar Director/s: Gema Ariceta Iraola, Anna Meseguer Navarro University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2020
PhD student: Stephane Nemours , Stephane Nemours Director/s: Anna Meseguer Navarro University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2020
PhD student: Mónica Durán Fernández Director/s: Anna Meseguer Navarro, Gema Ariceta Iraola University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2020
PhD student: Jazmine Paola Arevalo Bautista Director/s: Anna Meseguer Navarro University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2019
PhD student: Irene Campoy Moncayo Director/s: Antonio Gil Moreno, Jaume Reventós Puigjaner, Eva Colas Ortega University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2017
PhD student: Maria Eugenia Semidey Raven, Maria Eugenia Semidey Raven Director/s: Jordi Giralt López de Sagred, Santiago Ramon y Cajal Agüeras, Margarita Alberola Ferranti, Margarita Alberola Ferranti University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2016
PhD student: Eduard Sarro Tauler Director/s: University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2008
The research will perform a functional analysis of phenotype-modifying genetic variants in patients affected by familial hypomagnesaemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (HFHNC).
The project, which has received funding from the Association for Genetic Kidney Disease Information and Research, aims to help develop new therapies for familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis.
The association supports the Kidney Pathophysiology group at VHIR since 2015 to investigate familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis.
