RAGE–SIRT1 medicines to help dialysis fistulas mature
Official title: Translational study of RAGE-SIRT1 therapy for arteriovenous fistula maturation
Funded at VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System · NIH-11206899 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether drugs that block RAGE or boost SIRT1 can help newly created dialysis arteriovenous fistulas mature and stay open for people who need hemodialysis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006269-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11206899 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with kidney failure who are planning to get, or who recently had, a surgically created arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis.
✕Less likely to help
People without an AV fistula, those using other forms of dialysis access, or patients whose access problems arise from causes unrelated to RAGE/SIRT1-driven vessel injury may not benefit.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are studying two proteins (RAGE and SIRT1) that affect the lining of blood vessels after a dialysis fistula is made. They will use laboratory and animal models to see how disturbed blood flow causes DNA damage and a harmful cell-aging response that may block fistula maturation. The team will test small-molecule RAGE inhibitors and SIRT1 activators to see if those medicines improve vessel remodeling and blood flow in these models. The goal is to translate promising findings toward treatments that could be tried in people who need reliable dialysis access.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could raise the percentage of fistulas that mature properly, reducing repeat procedures and improving dialysis access durability.
How similar studies have gone: Related drugs targeting vascular inflammation and cell senescence have shown promise in preclinical vascular studies, but using RAGE inhibitors and SIRT1 activators specifically to improve AVF maturation is largely novel and still at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shiu, Yan-Ting E. — VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Shiu, Yan-Ting E.
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.
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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.
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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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How the protein calprotectin affects healing of dialysis fistulas
Looking at whether a protein called calprotectin causes narrowing that keeps new dialysis fistulas from becoming usable for people with kidney failure.
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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.
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.