How donor HLA antibodies trigger blood-vessel injury after transplant
The role of HLA and its coreceptors in endothelial cell activation and leukocyte recruitment in antibody-mediated transplant rejection
Learning how antibodies against donor HLA make the graft's blood vessels activate and draw in immune cells in transplant patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258860 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a transplant patient, this work looks at how antibodies that target donor HLA cause the lining of blood vessels in my graft to change and attract white blood cells. Researchers will study endothelial cells in the lab, examine interactions between HLA and co-receptors such as TLR4 and integrin β4, and analyze samples from transplant patients to trace the signaling steps. They will measure things like Weibel-Palade body release and P-selectin exposure and test how blocking specific pathways changes monocyte recruitment. The aim is to pinpoint molecular targets that could prevent transplant vasculopathy and chronic antibody-mediated rejection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Solid-organ transplant recipients who have donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA), especially those at risk for chronic antibody-mediated rejection such as heart transplant patients, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without donor-specific antibodies or whose rejection is driven primarily by T-cell mechanisms rather than antibodies may not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify new targets or treatments to prevent chronic antibody-mediated rejection and help transplanted organs last longer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked HLA antibodies and TLR4-related signaling to endothelial activation, but translating those findings into proven therapies remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reed, Elaine F — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Reed, Elaine F
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 below.