Activating a cell protein to prevent early dialysis fistula failure
Official title: Integrin Activation to Prevent Early Arteriovenous Fistula Failure in End-stage Renal Disease Patients
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11262322 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research tests a drug-like activator of the Mac-1 protein to reduce inflammation and help new dialysis fistulas work better for people with end-stage kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $520,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136297-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11262322 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with end-stage renal disease who are planning to receive or have recently received a new autogenous A-V fistula for hemodialysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on hemodialysis, who already have a mature functioning fistula, or whose fistula problems are due to causes other than post-operative inflammation may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
If you are getting or have just received a new arteriovenous (A-V) fistula for hemodialysis, this work aims to reduce the inflammation that causes early narrowing and scarring. Researchers are testing a newly discovered activator of the Mac-1 integrin to control macrophage and myeloid cell activity after fistula surgery. The team will use genetic and drug-based approaches in laboratory and animal models to see whether Mac-1 activation prevents intimal hyperplasia and fibrosis that block fistula blood flow. Successful preclinical results would support future testing of this approach in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower early fistula failure rates and reduce the need for additional procedures to make dialysis access usable.
How similar studies have gone: Anti-inflammatory strategies for fistula failure have shown mixed clinical results, and Mac-1 activation is a novel, mostly preclinical approach with encouraging early signs but not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vazquez Padron, Roberto Irenardo — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Vazquez Padron, Roberto Irenardo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using integrin activation to improve the success of dialysis access in kidney disease patients
This study is looking at a new way to help improve the success of arteriovenous fistulas for people on hemodialysis, by using a special treatment that may reduce inflammation and prevent problems that can cause these important connections to fail.
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Cardiovascular changes after AV fistula creation and how autophagy affects it
A VA-led project looks at how blood vessel remodeling after AV fistula surgery may be helped by understanding and targeting autophagy.
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How life circumstances affect brain aging in people with end-stage kidney disease
This project looks at how neighborhood, income, education, and personal resilience relate to earlier memory and thinking problems in adults with end-stage kidney disease.
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Nanoparticle delivery to prevent AV fistula narrowing
A new nanoparticle-based approach aims to prevent AV fistula narrowing in people with kidney failure who rely on dialysis.
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Molecular control of arterial-to-vein remodeling in fistula maturation
This study explores how vein cells change to help arteriovenous fistulas mature, with the aim of improving outcomes for people needing hemodialysis.
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How the protein calprotectin affects healing of dialysis fistulas
Looking at whether a protein called calprotectin causes narrowing that keeps new dialysis fistulas from becoming usable for people with kidney failure.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.