NIH-funded research R01 grant

Targeted NAD+ Replenishment to Protect Vein Grafts After Bypass

Official title: Targeted NAD+ Replenishment as Pre- and Post-bypass Therapy Against Vein Graft Failure

Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11433243 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Aims to protect vein grafts used in bypass surgery by delivering NAD+ directly to vascular cells to reduce failure from aging and injury.

More Graft Failure research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project startAugust 15, 2026
Project endMay 31, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$812,196
NIH project number1R01HL188253-01
Project IDNIH-11433243 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults undergoing or having undergone vein graft bypass who are at risk of graft failure may be eligible for future trials.

Less likely to help

Patients without vein grafts or those not at risk of graft failure are unlikely to benefit.

What this research studies

After bypass surgery, vein grafts often fail due to endothelial damage and vessel remodeling. This project tests a nanoparticle therapy that delivers NAD+ into vein graft cells to maintain energy and balance during pre- and post-surgery periods. It uses a biomimetic, platelet-coated NAD+-loaded nanoparticle to reach grafts specifically and support endothelial health. The approach shows promise in preserving graft function in models and early studies, with a focus on translating to patients who need bypass procedures.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience lower vein graft failure rates and longer-lasting grafts after bypass surgery.

How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data indicate NAD+ delivery can preserve endothelial health and improve graft patency in models, supporting further development.

Where this research is happening

  • Northwestern University
    Chicago, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wang, Bowen — Northwestern University
  • Study coordinator: Wang, Bowen

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Gene therapy to protect vein grafts after bypass surgery

    Testing a gene therapy meant to help veins used in bypass operations stay open longer for people with coronary or peripheral artery disease.

    NIH research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11293427

  • Targeted gene therapy to protect prosthetic leg bypass grafts

    This project uses targeted gene-silencing treatments to prevent narrowing and failure of synthetic bypass grafts in people with blocked leg arteries.

    NIH research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11251803

  • 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.

    NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11117074

  • 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.

    NIH research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11094828

  • 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.

    NIH research Northwestern University at Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-11060859

  • 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.

    NIH research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11028761

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.