Faculty of Health

    Chair of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Toxicology

    The focus of research of the Chair of Physiology and Pathophysiology  at Witten/Herdecke University is to study kidney function in health and disease. Teaching covers human physiology and pathophysiology for medical and dental students as well as molecular medicine for medical, dental and basic science students. A further aim is to integrate research and teaching.

    Our research encompasses innovative projects in molecular and cellular physiology and pathophysiology , as well as in molecular medicine, that are investigated using state-of-the-art methodology. The chair is characterized by national and international co-operations and funding support (e.g. German Research Foundation [DFG]). State-of-the-art molecular and cellular experimental techniques are used to elucidate scientific problems that may contribute to a better understanding and development of cures for various kidney diseases (translational research). New research findings and experimental techniques are integrated into the curriculum and training of students.

    The Chair of Physiology and Pathophysiology at Witten/Herdecke University is involved in teaching of the model curriculum (“Modellstudiengang”) in the preclinical study phase (semesters 1-4) of the medical degree program.

    Teaching modules cover relevant aspects of molecular, cellular and organ physiology and pathophysiology. The aim of the interactive teaching sessions is to convey a fundamental understanding of physiological processes at the cellular and molecular levels, their implications for the normal function of organs and the human body, as well as their role in the pathogenesis of diseases and in the development of causal therapy approaches. We also offer projects for doctoral theses in medicine and natural sciences. Please contact us directly, if you are interested.

    The essential elements of the teaching modules are:
    Teaching staff:
    Research Interests

    Our research is in the area of integrative kidney physiology and includes mechanisms of vascular development, aging and regeneration with emphasis on stem cell niche-immune cell interactions and organ protection.


    We use modern molecular approaches such as imaging, quantitative image analysis (also AI-based), cell sorting, generation of transgenic animal models, etc., which are intended to help understand the role of the kidney in cardio-metabolic, immunological and degenerative diseases (translational research). Findings and methods are incorporated into future therapeutic strategies and training of students. 


    The Chair of Physiology and Pathophysiology focuses on basic research with clinical relevance. Information on current and completed projects can be found in the project database of the Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University (http://cambase.dmz.uni-wh.de/CiXbase/whpro/index.html) or GEPRIS - Projects funded by the German Research Foundation (http://cambase.dmz.uni-wh.de/CiXbase/whpro/index.html).
     

    Research Goals
    Research Group Todorov
    Research Group Edemir
    Research Group Wolff

    Selected publications of the past five years

    Year
    Title
    Author
    Type
    2024
    Distinct concentration-dependent oxidative stress profiles by cadmium in a rat kidney proximal tubule cell line

    Lee W-K, Probst S, Scharner B, Deba T, Dahdouh F, Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2023
    PLVAP as an Early Marker of Glomerular Endothelial Damage in Mice with Diabetic Kidney Disease

    Wolf EE, Steglich A, Kessel F, Kröger H, Sradnick J, Reichelt-Wurm S, Eidenschink K, Banas MC, Wolf E, Wanke R, Gembardt F, Todorov V

    Scientific article (journals)
    2022
    Kidney tubule iron loading in experimental focal segmentalglomerulosclerosis

     van Swelm R P L, Beurskens S, Dijkman H, Wiegerinck E T. G.,

    Roelofs R, Thévenod F, van der Vlag J, Wetzels J F. M., Swinkels D W., Smeets B

    Scientific article (journals)
    2022
    Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms of Renal HepcidinInduction and Protection upon Hemoglobin-Induced AcuteKidney Injury

    Diepeveen L E. , Stegemann G, Wiegerinck E T , Rian Roelofs , Naber M, Lóreal O,

    Smeets B, Thévenod F , Swinkels D W., van Swelm R P L

    Scientific article (journals)
    2022
    Dependence of ABCB1 transporter expression and function on distinct sphingolipids generated by ceramide synthases-2 and -6 in chemoresistant renal cancer

    Dr. Lee W-K, Maaß M, Quach A, Dr. Poscic N, Prangley H, Pallot E-C, Kim J L, Pierce J S, Dr. Ogretmen B, Dr. Futerman A H, Dr. Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2022
    A quantitative 3D intravital look at the juxtaglomerular renin-cell-niche reveals an individual intra/extraglomerular feedback system

    Arndt P, Sradnick J, Kroeger H, Holtzhausen S, Kessel F, Gerlach M, Todorov V, Hugo C

    Scientific article (journals)
    2022
    Intravital imaging of hemodynamic glomerular effects of enalapril or/and empagliflozin in STZ-diabetic mice

    Kroeger H, Kessel F, Sradnick J, Todorov V, Gembardt F, Hugo C

    Scientific article (journals)
    2022
    Overexpression of alanine‑glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 protects from asymmetric dimethylarginine‑induced endothelial dysfunction and aortic remodeling

    Rodionov RN, Jarzebska N, Burdin D, Todorov V, Martens-Lobenhoffer J, Hofmann A, Kolouschek A, Cordasic N, Jacobi J, Rubets E, Morawietz H, O'Sullivan JF, Markov AG, Bornstein SR, Hilgers K, Maas R, Pfluecke C, Chen Y, Bode-Böger SM, Hugo CPM, Hohenstein B, Weiss N.

    Article
    2022
    Developmental endothelial locus-1 protects from hypertension-induced cardiovascular remodeling via immunomodulation

    Failer T, Amponsah-Offeh M, Neuwirth A, Kourtselis I, Subramanian P, Mirtschink P, Peitzsch M, Matschke K, Tugtekin SM, Kajikawa T, Li X, Steglich A, Gembardt F, Wegner A, Hugo C, Hajishengallis G, Chavakis T, Deussen A, Todorov V, Kopaliani I

    Scientific article (journals)
    2022
    Prolyl-4-hydroxylases 2 and 3 control erythropoietin production in renin expressing cells of mouse kidneys

    Broeker KAE, Fuchs MAA, Schrankl J, Lehrmann C, Schley G, Todorov V, Hugo C, Wagner C, Kurtz A

    Scientific article (journals)
    2021
    Myoglobin Protects Breast Cancer Cells Due to Its ROS and NO Scavenging Properties

    Quinting T, Heymann AK, Bicker A, Nauth T, Bernardini A, Hankeln T, Fandrey J, Schreiber T

    Scientific article (journals)
    2021
    (H)IF applicable: promotion of neurogenesis by induced HIF-2 signalling after ischaemia

    Leu T, Fandrey J, Schreiber T

    Scientific article (journals)
    2021
    Increased Endocytosis of Cadmium-Metallothionein throughthe 24p3 Receptor in an In Vivo Model with Reduced ProximalTubular Activity

    Zavala-Guevara I P, Ortega-Romero M S, Narváez-Morales J, Jacobo-Estrada T L, Lee W-K, Arreola-Mendoza L, Thévenod F , Barbier O C

    Scientific article (journals)
    2021
    Complement receptor 3 mediates both sinking phagocytosis and phagocytic cup formation via distinct mechanisms

    Walbaum S, Ambrosy B, Schütz P, Bachg A C, Horsthemke M, Leusen J H W, Mócsai A, Hanley P J

    Scientific article (journals)
    2021
    Role of hepcidin in oxidative stress and cell death of cultured mouserenal collecting duct cells: protection against iron and sensitizationto cadmium

    Probst S, Fels J,Scharner B, Wolff N A, Roussa E, van Swelm R P L, Lee W-K, Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2021
    Teaching an old dog new tricks: reactivateddevelopmental signaling pathways regulate ABCB1and chemoresistance in cancer

    Lee W-K, Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2021
    Patterns of differentiation of renin lineage cells during nephrogenesis

    Kessel F, Steglich A, Hickmann L, Lira Martinez R, Gerlach M, Sequeira-Lopez MLS, Gomez RA, Hugo CPM, Todorov V

    Scientific article (journals)
    2020
    Hypoxia-inducible factor-2α is crucial for proper brain development

    Kleszka K, Leu T, Quinting T, Jastrow H, Pechlivanis S, Fandrey J, Schreiber T

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    Inverse Regulation of Lipocalin-2/24p3 Receptor/SLC22A17 and Lipocalin-2 Expression by Tonicity, NFAT5/TonEBP and Arginine Vasopressin in Mouse Cortical Collecting Duct Cells mCCD(cl.1): Implications for Osmotolerance

    Probst S, Scharner B, McErlean R, Lee WK, Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    Cadmium Complexed with β2-Microglubulin, Albumin and Lipocalin-2 rather than Metallothionein Cause Megalin:Cubilin Dependent Toxicity of the Renal Proximal Tubule.

    Fels J, Scharner B, Zarbock R, Zavala Guevara IP, Lee WK, Barbier OC, Thévenod F

     

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    Proximal tubule transferrin uptake is modulated by cellular iron and mediated by apical membrane megalin-cubilin complex and transferrin receptor 1.

    Smith CP, Lee WK, Haley M, Poulsen SB, Thévenod F, Fenton RA

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    Oncogenic PITX2 facilitates tumor cell drug resistance by inverse regulation of hOCT3/SLC22A3 and ABC drug transporters in colon and kidney cancers.

    Lee WK, Thévenod F

     

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    ADMA elevation does not exacerbate development of diabetic nephropathy in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

    Rodionov RN, Jarzebska N, Schneider A, Rexin A, Sradnick J, Brilloff S, Martens-Lobenhoffer J, Bode-Böger SM, Todorov V, Hugo C, Weiss N, Hohenstein B

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    Systemic ß adrenergic stimulation/ sympathetic nerve system stimulation influences intraocular RAS through cAMP in the RPE.

    Martins JR, Reichhart N, Kociok N, Stindl J, Foeckler R, Lachmann P, Todorov V, Castrop H, Strauß O

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    Renin cells with defective Gsα/cAMP-signaling contribute to renal endothelial damage

    Steglich A, Kessel F, Hickmann L, Gerlach M, Lachmann P, Gembardt F,  Lesche M, Dahl A, Federlein A, Schweda F, Hugo C, Todorov V

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    New automatic quantification method of immunofluorescence and histochemistry in whole histological sections

    Kessel F, Steglich A, Tschongov T, Gembardt F, Ruhnke L, Stumpf J,  Behrendt R, Cohrs C, Kopaliani I, Todorov V*, Gerlach M, Hugo C

    Scientific article (journals)
    2018
    Tonicity inversely modulates lipocalin-2 (Lcn2/24p3/NGAL) receptor (SLC22A17) and Lcn2 expression via Wnt/β-catenin signaling in renal inner medullary collecting duct cells: implications for cell fate and bacterial infection

    Betten R, Scharner B, Probst S, Edemir B, Wolff NA, Langelueddecke C, Lee WK, Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2018
    Intrauterine Exposure to Cadmium Reduces HIF-1 DNA-Binding Ability in Rat Fetal Kidneys

    Jacobo-Estrada T, Cardenas-Gonzalez M, Santoyo-Sánchez MP, Thevenod F, Barbier O

    Scientific article (journals)
    2018
    Endogenous hepcidin synthesis protects the distal nephron against hemin and hemoglobin mediated necroptosis

    van Swelm RPL, Vos M, Verhoeven F, Thévenod F, Swinkels DW

    Scientific article (journals)
    2018
    A role for divalent metal transporter (DMT1) in mitochondrial uptake of iron and manganese

    Wolff NA, Garrick MD, Zhao L, Garrick LM, Ghio AJ, Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2018
    Progenitor Renin Lineage Cells are not involved in the regeneration of glomerular endothelial cells during experimental renal thrombotic microangiopathy

    Ruhnke L, Sradnick J, Al-Mekhlafi M, Gerlach M, Gembardt F, Hohenstein B, Todorov V*, Hugo C

    Scientific article (journals)

    Selection of review articles of the last five years

    Year
    Title
    Author
    Type
    2023
    Editorial: Recent advances on renoprotection and kidney regeneration

    Gimenez I, Hugo C, Todorov V

    Scientific article (journals)
    2022
    Renal hypoxia-HIF-PHD-EPO signaling in transition metal nephrotoxicity: friend or foe?

    Thévenod F, Schreiber T, Lee WK

    Scientific article (journals)
    2020
    Iron and Cadmium Entry Into Renal Mitochondria: Physiological and Toxicological Implications

    Thévenod F , Lee WK , Garrick M D

    Scientific article (journals)
    2020
    Cell Organelles as Targets of Mammalian Cadmium Toxicity

    Lee WK, Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2020
    Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the neuroendocrine stress axis

    Steenblock S, Todorov V, Kanczkowski W, Eisenhofer G, Schedl A, Wong ML, Licinio J, Bauer M, Young AH, Gainetdinov RR, Bornstein SR

    Scientific article (journals)
    2020
    Beyond the paradigm: novel functions of renin-producing cells

    Steglich A, Hickmann L, Linkermann A, Bornstein S, Hugo C, Todorov V

    Scientific article (journals)
    2019
    Channels, transporters and receptors for cadmium and cadmium complexes in eukaryotic cells: myths and facts.

    Thévenod F, Fels J, Lee WK, Zarbock R

    Scientific article (journals)
    2018
    Cadmium Interaction with Animal Cells.

    Thévenod F., Petering D., M. Templeton D., Lee WK., Hartwig A. (eds)

    Book editorship
    2018
    Membrane Transport Proteins and Receptors for Cadmium and Cadmium Complexes.

    Thévenod F.

    Book contribution
    2018
    Cell Organelles as Targets of Cadmium Toxicity.

    Lee WK

    Book contribution
    2018
    Cadmium Handling, Toxicity and Molecular Targets Involved during Pregnancy: Lessons from Experimental Models

    M Santoyo-Sánchez, F Thévenod, O Barbier

    Book contribution
    2018
    Iron and Its Role in Cancer Defense: A Double-Edged Sword

    Thévenod F

    Scientific article (journals)
    2018
    Metallo-Drugs: Development and Action of Anticancer Agents: Development and Action of Anticancer Agents

    Imogen Riddell, Stephen J Lippard, Victor Brabec, Jana Kasparkova, Vijay Menon, Nicholas P Farrell, V Venkatesh, Peter J Sadler, Anil K Gorle, Erica J Peterson, Susan Berners-Price, Enzo Alessio, Luigi Messori, Maria V Babak, Wee Han Ang, Angela Casini, Raymond Wai-Yin Sun, Ingo Ott, Edit Tshuva, Maya Miller, Debbie Crans, Lining Yan, Allison Haase, Xiaogai Yang, Christopher Chitambar, Lucia Cardo, Michael John Hannon, Ramon Vilar, Matthew P Sullivan, Hannah U Holtkamp, Christian G Hartinger, Ulrich Schatzschneider, Frank Thévenod, Delphine Denoyer, Sharnel AS Clatworthy, Michael Cater, Silvia Ziliotto, Olivia Ogle, Kathryn M Taylor

    Book
    Contact
    Prof. Dr. med. habil. Dr. rer. nat. Vladimir Todorov
    Contact

    Prof. Dr. med. habil. Dr. rer. nat.
    Vladimir Todorov

    Fakultät für Gesundheit (Department für Humanmedizin)
    Lehrstuhl für Physiologie und Pathophysiologie
    Lehrstuhlinhaber

    Phone: +49 2302 / 926-221

    E-Mail: Vladimir.Todorov@uni-wh.de

    E-Mail: Send e-mail now

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    Staff

    Name/Contact
    Position
    E-Mail

    Further Doctoral Researchers

    Akua Annoh
    Annika Wegner
    Ricardo Lira Martinez
    Contact
    Univ.-Prof. Dr. Frank Thevenod
    Contact

    Univ.-Prof. Dr. med.
    Frank Thevenod , PhD

    Fakultät für Gesundheit (Department für Humanmedizin)
    Lehrstuhl für Physiologie und Pathophysiologie
    Emeritus

    Die Universität Witten/Herdecke ist durch das NRW-Wissenschaftsministerium staatlich anerkannt und wird – sowohl als Institution wie auch für ihre einzelnen Studiengänge – regelmäßig akkreditiert durch: