Research
Research in the Cordat’s lab is focused on renal handling of ions, with a particular emphasis on the physiological role of bicarbonate transporters in the renal collecting duct. These transporters are expressed in many organs where they participate in acid-base homeostasis and electrolyte balance. Any imbalance of plasma bicarbonate homeostasis alters a number of physiological processes, including homeostasis of oxalate, a component of 80 % of kidney stones, indirect regulation of water reabsorption, plasma pH homeostasis, bile duct function, spermatogenesis, vision, hearing or cardiovascular function.
The Cordat’s lab works on the physiology and pathophysiology of renal intercalated cells and the specific role of the kidney anion exchanger 1 (kAE1) protein in these cells. Inherited kAE1 mutations can induce a kidney disease called distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). This disease causes failure to thrive, muscle weakness and kidney stones.
Our laboratory has 3 main research topics:
Pathophysiology of the renal intercalated cell loss in dRTA patients,
Persistence of kidney stone development and abnormal electrolyte balance in dRTA patients even after their acidosis is corrected
Understanding the role of intercalated cells in innate immunity.
Our research will have an impact on our understanding of (1) kidney stone formation, a painful condition that affects one in ten Canadians throughout their lifetime, (2) individuals with abnormal blood pressure, which affects one in 5 Canadians aged 20 to 79 and (3) urinary tract infections, a common condition that causes roughly 500,000 visits per year to physicians in Canada.
