How the protein calprotectin affects healing of dialysis fistulas
Official title: The Role of Vascular Calprotectin in Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11377242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at whether a protein called calprotectin causes narrowing that keeps new dialysis fistulas from becoming usable for people with kidney failure.
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 | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $422,315 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132888-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with end-stage kidney disease who are planning to get—or recently had—a new arteriovenous fistula for dialysis would be the best candidates to participate.
✕Less likely to help
People without dialysis fistulas, those using other forms of dialysis except hemodialysis with an A-V fistula, or those with long-standing mature fistulas may not get direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project will compare tissue and blood samples from people whose new arteriovenous (A-V) fistulas for dialysis worked versus those that failed to mature. Researchers will measure calprotectin, CXCL12, and PU.1 levels in patient samples and study how vascular smooth muscle cells respond to these signals in the lab. They will use cellular and animal models to test whether lowering calprotectin or blocking the PU.1/CXCL12 pathway prevents the inward narrowing that causes fistula failure. The aim is to use those findings to develop targeted therapies that improve the chances your new fistula becomes usable for dialysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce fistula narrowing and increase the number of working dialysis accesses for people with kidney failure.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior research links calprotectin, CXCL12, and PU.1 to vascular inflammation and remodeling, but targeting this specific pathway to prevent fistula failure is a novel, translational approach that has not yet produced proven therapies.
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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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.
-
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.
-
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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Improving AV fistula longevity by guiding vein remodeling
A research project is exploring how to help veins adapt better when used for hemodialysis access so patients have fewer costly procedures.
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Bioabsorbable wrap to improve AV fistula outcomes
A new bioabsorbable wrap is being studied to help AV fistula surgery heal better and stay open longer for people needing hemodialysis.
-
AI tool to screen AV fistula stenosis using stethoscope sounds in dialysis patients
A new AI tool uses sound recordings from a digital stethoscope to screen for narrowing in dialysis fistulas, helping clinicians catch problems earlier.
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.