Felix Knauf, MD
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine (Adjunct)
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
The kidney is a primary target for crystals because of its role in filtering and eliminating various substances via the urine. As poorly soluble molecules and waste salts are being concentrated in the course of urine formation, crystals can build and deposit within the renal tubules and interstitium resulting in kidney failure. The composition of crystals varies based on whether they are introduced as drugs (e.g. methotrexate, sufadiazine or indinavir) or endogenous to the body (e.g. light chain crystalline nephropathy or uric acid nephropathy). Our laboratory primarily focuses on oxalate, the most common component of urinary crystals in humans.
Recent research including our own work has pointed to an important role of the innate immune system in crystal-induced inflammation and kidney failure. Our highly interdisciplinary investigations stretch from transport physiology studies, biophysics to animal models. In addition, our work bridges the gap between basic research and human studies by examining our hypothesis in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Coauthors
Selected Publications
- Principles for task shifting hypertension and diabetes screening and referral: a qualitative study exploring patient, community health worker and healthcare professional perceptions in rural UgandaIngenhoff R, Munana R, Weswa I, Gaal J, Sekitoleko I, Mutabazi H, Bodnar B, Rabin T, Siddharthan T, Kalyesubula R, Knauf F, Nalwadda C. Principles for task shifting hypertension and diabetes screening and referral: a qualitative study exploring patient, community health worker and healthcare professional perceptions in rural Uganda. BMC Public Health 2023, 23: 881. PMID: 37173687, PMCID: PMC10176286, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15704-w.
- Strikingly conserved gene expression changes of polyamine regulating enzymes among various forms of acute and chronic kidney injurySieckmann T, Schley G, Ögel N, Kelterborn S, Boivin F, Fähling M, Ashraf M, Reichel M, Vigolo E, Hartner A, Lichtenberger F, Breiderhoff T, Knauf F, Rosenberger C, Aigner F, Schmidt-Ott K, Scholz H, Kirschner K. Strikingly conserved gene expression changes of polyamine regulating enzymes among various forms of acute and chronic kidney injury. Kidney International 2023, 104: 90-107. PMID: 37121432, DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.04.005.
- Sputum Microbiome and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Rural Ugandan Cohort of Well-Controlled HIV InfectionKayongo A, Bartolomaeus T, Birkner T, Markó L, Löber U, Kigozi E, Atugonza C, Munana R, Mawanda D, Sekibira R, Uwimaana E, Alupo P, Kalyesubula R, Knauf F, Siddharthan T, Bagaya B, Kateete D, Joloba M, Sewankambo N, Jjingo D, Kirenga B, Checkley W, Forslund S. Sputum Microbiome and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Rural Ugandan Cohort of Well-Controlled HIV Infection. Microbiology Spectrum 2023, 11: e02139-21. PMID: 36790203, PMCID: PMC10100697, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02139-21.
- SLC26A1 is a major determinant of sulfate homeostasis in humansPfau A, López-Cayuqueo K, Scherer N, Wuttke M, Wernstedt A, Fassrainer D, Smith D, van de Kamp J, Ziegeler K, Eckardt K, Luft F, Aronson P, Köttgen A, Jentsch T, Knauf F. SLC26A1 is a major determinant of sulfate homeostasis in humans. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2023, 133: e161849. PMID: 36719378, PMCID: PMC9888379, DOI: 10.1172/jci161849.
- Oxalate homeostasisErmer T, Nazzal L, Tio M, Waikar S, Aronson P, Knauf F. Oxalate homeostasis. Nature Reviews Nephrology 2022, 19: 123-138. PMID: 36329260, PMCID: PMC10278040, DOI: 10.1038/s41581-022-00643-3.
- Authors’ Reply: Calcium-Based Phosphate Binders and Plasma Oxalate Concentration in Dialysis PatientsPfau A, Knauf F. Authors’ Reply: Calcium-Based Phosphate Binders and Plasma Oxalate Concentration in Dialysis Patients. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2022, 33: 1428-1428. PMID: 35500939, PMCID: PMC9257799, DOI: 10.1681/asn.2022030359.
- Effectiveness of a community health worker-delivered care intervention for hypertension control in Uganda: study protocol for a stepped wedge, cluster randomized control trialIngenhoff R, Nandawula J, Siddharthan T, Ssekitoleko I, Munana R, Bodnar B, Weswa I, Kirenga B, Mutungi G, van der Giet M, Kalyesubula R, Knauf F. Effectiveness of a community health worker-delivered care intervention for hypertension control in Uganda: study protocol for a stepped wedge, cluster randomized control trial. Trials 2022, 23: 440. PMID: 35610712, PMCID: PMC9128241, DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06403-9.
- Hemodialysis and biotransformation of erythrocyte epoxy fatty acids in peripheral tissueLiu T, Dogan I, Rothe M, Kunz J, Knauf F, Gollasch M, Luft F, Gollasch B. Hemodialysis and biotransformation of erythrocyte epoxy fatty acids in peripheral tissue. Prostaglandins Leukotrienes And Essential Fatty Acids 2022, 181: 102453. PMID: 35633593, DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2022.102453.
- Different Murine Models of Kidney Injury Reveal a Common Pattern of Dysregulation within the Polyamine System in Favour of its Catabolic PathwaysSieckmann T, Ögel N, Kelterborn S, Boivin F, Schley G, Fähling M, Ashraf M, Reichel M, Vigolo E, Hartner A, Knauf F, Rosenberger C, Aigner F, Smidt‐Ott K, Scholz H, Kirschner K. Different Murine Models of Kidney Injury Reveal a Common Pattern of Dysregulation within the Polyamine System in Favour of its Catabolic Pathways. The FASEB Journal 2022, 36 DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.r3345.
- Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Reloxaliase in Enteric Hyperoxaluria.Lieske J, Lingeman J, Ferraro P, Wyatt C, Tosone C, Kausz A, Knauf F. Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Reloxaliase in Enteric Hyperoxaluria. NEJM Evidence 2022, 1: evidoa2100053. PMID: 38319254, DOI: 10.1056/evidoa2100053.
- Bioaccumulation of Blood Long-Chain Fatty Acids during HemodialysisLiu T, Dogan I, Rothe M, Reichardt J, Knauf F, Gollasch M, Luft F, Gollasch B. Bioaccumulation of Blood Long-Chain Fatty Acids during Hemodialysis. Metabolites 2022, 12: 269. PMID: 35323712, PMCID: PMC8949028, DOI: 10.3390/metabo12030269.
- Hemodialysis and Plasma Oxylipin Biotransformation in Peripheral TissueLiu T, Dogan I, Rothe M, Kunz J, Knauf F, Gollasch M, Luft F, Gollasch B. Hemodialysis and Plasma Oxylipin Biotransformation in Peripheral Tissue. Metabolites 2022, 12: 34. PMID: 35050156, PMCID: PMC8781597, DOI: 10.3390/metabo12010034.
- Dissection of Barrier Dysfunction in Organoid-Derived Human Intestinal Epithelia Induced by Giardia duodenalisHolthaus D, Kraft M, Krug S, Wolf S, Müller A, Delgado Betancourt E, Schorr M, Holland G, Knauf F, Schulzke J, Aebischer T, Klotz C. Dissection of Barrier Dysfunction in Organoid-Derived Human Intestinal Epithelia Induced by Giardia duodenalis. Gastroenterology 2021, 162: 844-858. PMID: 34822802, DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.11.022.
- Determinants and Outcomes Associated With Urinary Calcium Excretion in Chronic Kidney Disease.Liu J, Tio M, Verma A, Schmidt I, Ilori T, Knauf F, Mc Causland F, Waikar S. Determinants and Outcomes Associated With Urinary Calcium Excretion in Chronic Kidney Disease. The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2021, 107: e281-e292. PMID: 34390334, PMCID: PMC8684460, DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab574.
- Acceptability of patient-centered hypertension education delivered by community health workers among people living with HIV/AIDS in rural UgandaBatte C, Mukisa J, Rykiel N, Mukunya D, Checkley W, Knauf F, Kalyesubula R, Siddharthan T. Acceptability of patient-centered hypertension education delivered by community health workers among people living with HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda. BMC Public Health 2021, 21: 1343. PMID: 34233648, PMCID: PMC8264981, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11411-6.
- Nephrologie und Global Health? Ein Zwischenbericht über den Aufbau von Patientenversorgung im ländlichen UgandaIngenhoff R, Ganten D, Knauf F. Nephrologie und Global Health? Ein Zwischenbericht über den Aufbau von Patientenversorgung im ländlichen Uganda. Nieren- Und Hochdruckkrankheiten 2021, 50: 194-199. DOI: 10.5414/nhx02177.
- Pilot study of reloxaliase in patients with severe enteric hyperoxaluria and hyperoxalemiaPfau A, Grujic D, Keddis M, Kausz A, Lieske J, Knauf F. Pilot study of reloxaliase in patients with severe enteric hyperoxaluria and hyperoxalemia. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2021, 36: 945-948. PMID: 33416876, PMCID: PMC8075375, DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfaa379.
- Pathophysiology and Treatment of Enteric HyperoxaluriaWitting C, Langman C, Assimos D, Baum M, Kausz A, Milliner D, Tasian G, Worcester E, Allain M, West M, Knauf F, Lieske J. Pathophysiology and Treatment of Enteric Hyperoxaluria. Clinical Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2020, 16: 487-495. PMID: 32900691, PMCID: PMC8011014, DOI: 10.2215/cjn.08000520.
- Assessment of Plasma Oxalate Concentration in Patients With CKDPfau A, Wytopil M, Chauhan K, Reichel M, Coca SG, Aronson PS, Eckardt KU, Knauf F. Assessment of Plasma Oxalate Concentration in Patients With CKD. Kidney International Reports 2020, 5: 2013-2020. PMID: 33163722, PMCID: PMC7609998, DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2020.08.029.
- Stiripentol fails to lower plasma oxalate in a dialysis-dependent PH1 patientKempf C, Pfau A, Holle J, Müller-Schlüter K, Bufler P, Knauf F, Müller D. Stiripentol fails to lower plasma oxalate in a dialysis-dependent PH1 patient. Pediatric Nephrology 2020, 35: 1787-1789. PMID: 32418144, PMCID: PMC7385015, DOI: 10.1007/s00467-020-04585-5.
- MP43-07 RESULTS OF A PHASE 2 STUDY OF RELOXALIASE IN SUBJECTS WITH ADVANCED OXALATE DISORDERSKnauf F, Lieske J, Keddis M, Kausz A, Scales* C. MP43-07 RESULTS OF A PHASE 2 STUDY OF RELOXALIASE IN SUBJECTS WITH ADVANCED OXALATE DISORDERS. Journal Of Urology 2020, 203 DOI: 10.1097/ju.0000000000000898.07.
- P2X7 Receptor Stimulation Is Not Required for Oxalate Crystal-Induced Kidney InjuryLuz H, Reichel M, Unwin R, Mutig K, Najenson A, Tonner L, Eckardt K, Tam F, Knauf F. P2X7 Receptor Stimulation Is Not Required for Oxalate Crystal-Induced Kidney Injury. Scientific Reports 2019, 9: 20086. PMID: 31882798, PMCID: PMC6934555, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56560-2.
- Tumor necrosis factor stimulates fibroblast growth factor 23 levels in chronic kidney disease and non-renal inflammationEgli-Spichtig D, Imenez Silva P, Glaudemans B, Gehring N, Bettoni C, Zhang M, Pastor-Arroyo E, Schönenberger D, Rajski M, Hoogewijs D, Knauf F, Misselwitz B, Frey-Wagner I, Rogler G, Ackermann D, Ponte B, Pruijm M, Leichtle A, Fiedler G, Bochud M, Ballotta V, Hofmann S, Perwad F, Föller M, Lang F, Wenger R, Frew I, Wagner C. Tumor necrosis factor stimulates fibroblast growth factor 23 levels in chronic kidney disease and non-renal inflammation. Kidney International 2019, 96: 890-905. PMID: 31301888, DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2019.04.009.
- A preliminary survey of practice patterns across several European kidney stone centers and a call for action in developing shared practiceFerraro P, Arrabal-Polo M, Capasso G, Croppi E, Cupisti A, Ernandez T, Fuster D, Galan J, Grases F, Hoorn E, Knauf F, Letavernier E, Mohebbi N, Moochhala S, Petkova K, Pozdzik A, Sayer J, Seitz C, Strazzullo P, Trinchieri A, Vezzoli G, Vitale C, Vogt L, Unwin R, Bonny O, Gambaro G. A preliminary survey of practice patterns across several European kidney stone centers and a call for action in developing shared practice. Urolithiasis 2019, 47: 219-224. PMID: 30848320, DOI: 10.1007/s00240-019-01119-z.
- Challenges to hypertension and diabetes management in rural Uganda: a qualitative study with patients, village health team members, and health care professionalsChang H, Hawley NL, Kalyesubula R, Siddharthan T, Checkley W, Knauf F, Rabin TL. Challenges to hypertension and diabetes management in rural Uganda: a qualitative study with patients, village health team members, and health care professionals. International Journal For Equity In Health 2019, 18: 38. PMID: 30819193, PMCID: PMC6394065, DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-0934-1.
- Ursachen und Therapieansätze hyperoxalurischer NierensteinerkrankungenPfau A, Eckardt K, Knauf F. Ursachen und Therapieansätze hyperoxalurischer Nierensteinerkrankungen. Nieren- Und Hochdruckkrankheiten 2018, 47: 612-617. DOI: 10.5414/nhx01935.
- Characterization of renal NaCl and oxalate transport in Slc26a6−/− miceKnauf F, Velazquez H, Pfann V, Jiang Z, Aronson PS. Characterization of renal NaCl and oxalate transport in Slc26a6−/− mice. American Journal Of Physiology. Renal Physiology 2018, 316: f128-f133. PMID: 30427220, PMCID: PMC6383200, DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00309.2018.
- A Successful Approach to Kidney Transplantation in Patients With Enteric (Secondary) HyperoxaluriaRoodnat J, de Mik-van Egmond A, Visser W, Berger S, van der Meijden W, Knauf F, van Agteren M, Betjes M, Hoorn E. A Successful Approach to Kidney Transplantation in Patients With Enteric (Secondary) Hyperoxaluria. Transplantation Direct 2017, 3: e331. PMID: 29536032, PMCID: PMC5828694, DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000000748.
- Impact of Regular or Extended Hemodialysis and Hemodialfiltration on Plasma Oxalate Concentrations in Patients With End-Stage Renal DiseaseErmer T, Kopp C, Asplin JR, Granja I, Perazella MA, Reichel M, Nolin TD, Eckardt KU, Aronson PS, Finkelstein FO, Knauf F. Impact of Regular or Extended Hemodialysis and Hemodialfiltration on Plasma Oxalate Concentrations in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease. Kidney International Reports 2017, 2: 1050-1058. PMID: 29270514, PMCID: PMC5733827, DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2017.06.002.
- Oxalate, inflammasome, and progression of kidney diseaseErmer T, Eckardt KU, Aronson PS, Knauf F. Oxalate, inflammasome, and progression of kidney disease. Current Opinion In Nephrology & Hypertension 2016, 25: 363-371. PMID: 27191349, PMCID: PMC4891250, DOI: 10.1097/mnh.0000000000000229.
- Loss of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator Impairs Intestinal Oxalate SecretionKnauf F, Thomson RB, Heneghan JF, Jiang Z, Adebamiro A, Thomson CL, Barone C, Asplin JR, Egan ME, Alper SL, Aronson PS. Loss of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator Impairs Intestinal Oxalate Secretion. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2016, 28: 242-249. PMID: 27313231, PMCID: PMC5198290, DOI: 10.1681/asn.2016030279.
- An educational booklet for patient-centred health education about a non-communicable disease in low-income and middle-income countriesSiddharthan T, Nassali F, Kalyesubula R, Coca S, Rastegar A, Rabin T, Knauf F. An educational booklet for patient-centred health education about a non-communicable disease in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet Global Health 2016, 4: s25. DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(16)30030-4.
- Oxalate-induced chronic kidney disease with its uremic and cardiovascular complications in C57BL/6 miceMulay SR, Eberhard JN, Pfann V, Marschner JA, Darisipudi MN, Daniel C, Romoli S, Desai J, Grigorescu M, Kumar SV, Rathkolb B, Wolf E, Hrabě de Angelis M, Bäuerle T, Dietel B, Wagner CA, Amann K, Eckardt KU, Aronson PS, Anders HJ, Knauf F. Oxalate-induced chronic kidney disease with its uremic and cardiovascular complications in C57BL/6 mice. American Journal Of Physiology. Renal Physiology 2016, 310: f785-f795. PMID: 26764204, PMCID: PMC5504458, DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00488.2015.
- SP040INTERLEUKIN-1BETA-DEFICIENCY PROTECTS FROM CHRONIC OXALATE NEPHROPATHY AND MORTALITYDarisipudi M, Roessler S, Asplin J, Granja I, Eckardt K, Flavell R, Aronson P, Knauf F. SP040INTERLEUKIN-1BETA-DEFICIENCY PROTECTS FROM CHRONIC OXALATE NEPHROPATHY AND MORTALITY. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2015, 30: iii393-iii393. DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfv188.03.
- Neue Einblicke in die Pathogenese der NierensteineKnauf F. Neue Einblicke in die Pathogenese der Nierensteine. Die Nephrologie 2014, 9: 196-203. DOI: 10.1007/s11560-013-0850-0.
- Dabigatran and Kidney Disease: A Bad CombinationKnauf F, Chaknos CM, Berns JS, Perazella MA. Dabigatran and Kidney Disease: A Bad Combination. Clinical Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2013, 8: 1591-1597. PMID: 23868901, PMCID: PMC3805067, DOI: 10.2215/cjn.01260213.
- NALP3-mediated inflammation is a principal cause of progressive renal failure in oxalate nephropathyKnauf F, Asplin JR, Granja I, Schmidt IM, Moeckel GW, David RJ, Flavell RA, Aronson PS. NALP3-mediated inflammation is a principal cause of progressive renal failure in oxalate nephropathy. Kidney International 2013, 84: 895-901. PMID: 23739234, PMCID: PMC3772982, DOI: 10.1038/ki.2013.207.
- Sat1 is dispensable for active oxalate secretion in mouse duodenumKo N, Knauf F, Jiang Z, Markovich D, Aronson PS. Sat1 is dispensable for active oxalate secretion in mouse duodenum. American Journal Of Physiology - Cell Physiology 2012, 303: c52-c57. PMID: 22517357, PMCID: PMC3404526, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00385.2011.
- Net Intestinal Transport of Oxalate Reflects Passive Absorption and SLC26A6-mediated SecretionKnauf F, Ko N, Jiang Z, Robertson WG, Van Itallie CM, Anderson JM, Aronson PS. Net Intestinal Transport of Oxalate Reflects Passive Absorption and SLC26A6-mediated Secretion. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2011, 22: 2247-2255. PMID: 22021714, PMCID: PMC3250206, DOI: 10.1681/asn.2011040433.
- Deletion of the Mammalian INDY Homolog Mimics Aspects of Dietary Restriction and Protects against Adiposity and Insulin Resistance in MiceBirkenfeld A, Lee H, Guebre-Egziabher F, Alves T, Jurczak M, Jornayvaz F, Zhang D, Hsiao J, Martin-Montalvo A, Fischer-Rosinsky A, Spranger J, Pfeiffer A, Jordan J, Fromm M, König J, Lieske S, Carmean C, Frederick D, Weismann D, Knauf F, Irusta P, De Cabo R, Helfand S, Samuel V, Shulman G. Deletion of the Mammalian INDY Homolog Mimics Aspects of Dietary Restriction and Protects against Adiposity and Insulin Resistance in Mice. Cell Metabolism 2011, 14: 567. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2011.09.005.
- The life-extending gene Indy encodes an exchanger for Krebs-cycle intermediatesKnauf F, Mohebbi N, Teichert C, Herold D, Rogina B, Helfand S, Gollasch M, Luft FC, Aronson PS. The life-extending gene Indy encodes an exchanger for Krebs-cycle intermediates. Biochemical Journal 2006, 397: 25-29. PMID: 16608441, PMCID: PMC1479758, DOI: 10.1042/bj20060409.
- Role of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in regulating activity of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform NHE3 in proximal tubule cellsGirardi AC, Knauf F, Demuth HU, Aronson PS. Role of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in regulating activity of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform NHE3 in proximal tubule cells. American Journal Of Physiology - Cell Physiology 2004, 287: c1238-c1245. PMID: 15213057, DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00186.2004.
- Functional characterization and immunolocalization of the transporter encoded by the life-extending gene IndyKnauf F, Rogina B, Jiang Z, Aronson PS, Helfand SL. Functional characterization and immunolocalization of the transporter encoded by the life-extending gene Indy. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2002, 99: 14315-14319. PMID: 12391301, PMCID: PMC137881, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.222531899.
- Identification of a chloride-formate exchanger expressed on the brush border membrane of renal proximal tubule cellsKnauf F, Yang C, Thomson R, Mentone S, Giebisch G, Aronson P. Identification of a chloride-formate exchanger expressed on the brush border membrane of renal proximal tubule cells. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2001, 98: 9425-9430. PMID: 11459928, PMCID: PMC55437, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.141241098.