Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by microRNAs in kidney transplant rejection
Official title: Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by microRNAs in antibody-mediated rejection
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11391268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A kidney transplant study looks at small genetic helpers called microRNAs and how they control gene activity during antibody-driven rejection of the transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $659,557 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131204-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with kidney transplants experiencing or at risk of antibody-mediated rejection could benefit from later translational advances based on these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not affected by kidney transplant rejection may not directly benefit from this basic mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how microRNAs and the proteins they interact with influence kidney injury during chronic antibody-mediated rejection after a transplant. It uses a technique to pull out microRNAs and their specific messenger RNA targets from the protein complex that guides gene silencing, creating a map of miRNA–mRNA interactions linked to rejection. The goal is to understand which pathways contribute to injury and which help protect the graft, potentially revealing new therapeutic angles. The research is conducted in human cells from transplant-relevant contexts and is anchored at Tufts University in Boston.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to targeted therapies that modulate miRNA-mRNA interactions to reduce chronic rejection and improve long-term graft survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that miRNAs regulate kidney injury, and this study builds on that by mapping specific miRNA–mRNA interactions in rejection.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iacomini, John J — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Iacomini, John J
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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.