Targeted gene therapy to protect prosthetic leg bypass grafts
Official title: Targeted Gene Therapies for the Prevention of Prosthetic Bypass Graft Failure
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11251803 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses targeted gene-silencing treatments to prevent narrowing and failure of synthetic bypass grafts in people with blocked leg arteries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 26, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $710,174 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL177355-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251803 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with peripheral artery disease who require lower-extremity bypass and do not have suitable vein for a vein graft would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who receive native vein grafts, do not have prosthetic bypass grafts, or whose health prevents local gene treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers aim to reduce the scarring and narrowing that causes prosthetic bypass grafts in the leg to fail by lowering the activity of two genes, TSP-2 and MARCKS, using small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivered to the graft site. The team builds on prior laboratory and animal work showing that knocking down these genes can limit the abnormal vessel wall thickening after arterial injury. They will develop and optimize targeted delivery methods and test effects in preclinical models and human tissue samples over the project period. The work is centered at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and could lead to future clinical testing in patients who need prosthetic lower-extremity bypasses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower the rate of graft failure, reduce repeat procedures, and decrease the risk of limb loss.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that siRNA targeting TSP-2 and MARCKS can reduce intimal hyperplasia in animal models, but translation to human patients remains novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liang, Patric — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Liang, Patric
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeted NAD+ Replenishment to Protect Vein Grafts After Bypass
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Gene therapy to protect vein grafts after bypass surgery
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Improving vein graft success after heart bypass surgery
This project uses computer models to design better ways to prevent vein grafts from failing after coronary artery bypass surgery.
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Gene therapies to prevent vein graft failure in heart and leg surgeries
This study is looking at a new way to help improve the success of vein grafts used in heart and leg surgeries, especially for people with coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease, by using a special gene therapy that could help keep the grafts healthy and working better for longer.
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Understanding why transplanted hearts fail over time
This study is looking at how heart transplants can sometimes fail over time, especially when the heart muscle gets too thick, and it aims to understand the different types of cells involved in this process to help improve the health and longevity of transplanted hearts for patients.
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Gene therapies to prevent failure of prosthetic bypass grafts
This study is looking at a new way to help people with severe leg artery blockages by using a special treatment to improve the success of prosthetic grafts, which can sometimes fail and lead to serious problems like losing a limb.
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.