Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have discovered that AD-NP1, a drug originally developed to repair heart tissue after a heart attack, may also stimulate kidney regeneration following injury.

The findings were published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

AD-NP1 was initially designed as a cardiovascular therapy. The drug works by blocking a protein that interferes with tissue healing and prevents organs from fully recovering after damage. Researchers have now demonstrated that the same mechanism appears to function in the kidneys.

The team focused on ENPP1, a protein produced by damaged kidney tissue. Analysis of biopsies from patients with chronic kidney disease revealed significantly higher levels of ENPP1 compared with healthy tissue. According to the researchers, the protein triggers a cascade of metabolic changes that impair cellular energy production in injured areas and hinder tissue repair.

Experiments in mice showed that suppressing ENPP1 led to markedly improved kidney recovery. The animals exhibited lower levels of kidney dysfunction markers, including serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and cystatin C. They also developed less scar tissue and demonstrated enhanced cellular regeneration.

After treatment with AD-NP1, mice with kidney injury showed improved kidney function within just one week. Histological analysis further revealed reduced fibrosis and more active tissue regeneration.

According to lead investigator Arjun Deb, the mechanism previously identified in heart tissue appears to be universal across different organs. Following injury, healthy cells attempt to regenerate, but biochemical signals originating from the damaged area can suppress that repair process.

Importantly, AD-NP1 is a monoclonal antibody developed in a UCLA laboratory with support from public research grants. It is specifically designed to target ENPP1 and does not interact with other human proteins.

The drug has already received authorization to enter Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Phase I studies are designed to evaluate a drug’s safety, dosage, and metabolism in humans. Researchers plan to expand future clinical testing to include kidney diseases as well.

If these findings are confirmed in human trials, they could pave the way for a new class of therapies aimed not merely at slowing organ damage, but at actively promoting tissue regeneration and repair.