Intracellular Vitamin D to Protect Islet Transplants from IBMIR
Official title: Intracellular Vitamin D to Combat Instant Blood-Mediated Inflammatory Reaction
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11604043 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tiny vitamin D–based therapy is being tested to protect transplanted islets in people with type 1 diabetes by reducing inflammation and blood clotting that can kill the graft.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $28,084 |
| NIH project number | 7R03AI185599-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11604043 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with type 1 diabetes undergoing islet transplantation who are eligible for the procedure and may benefit from reduced IBMIR-related graft loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing islet transplantation or those whose condition does not involve IBMIR-related risks may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you have type 1 diabetes and are considering islet transplantation, this project explores a vitamin D–based nanotherapy aimed at preventing IBMIR, the immediate inflammatory and clotting reaction that often damages transplanted islets. The approach focuses on delivering the active vitamin D inside cells to boost natural antioxidant defenses and curb harmful inflammation and coagulation. The research is designed to be studied in a controlled setting to see if it can reduce early islet loss and help more patients achieve insulin independence after transplantation. This R03 grant supports early-stage work to characterize safety and potential effectiveness before broader testing. The work is led by Northwestern University and involves collaboration to translate a mechanism-based therapy toward clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could improve islet graft survival and increase the likelihood of insulin independence after transplantation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous strategies have targeted inflammation or coagulation separately; this approach integrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, with uncertain translational success so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burke, Jacqueline Alexis — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Burke, Jacqueline Alexis
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.