How the protein calprotectin affects healing of dialysis fistulas
The Role of Vascular Calprotectin in Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation
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 ID | NIH-11377242 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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
Coral Gables, United States
- 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
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.