Targeting a specific CD38 form to protect livers from injury after transplant
Official title: Targeting Intracellular CD38 to Reduce Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Liver Transplantation
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11465898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach tests a selective drug to protect donor livers from injury during transplant, potentially increasing usable organs and improving transplant outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $807,563 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK149654-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11465898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting transplantation or donors whose organs are at risk of ischemia-reperfusion injury (e.g., donation after cardiac death).
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing liver transplantation or those without risk of IRI may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a first-in-class drug that selectively targets the type III form of CD38 inside liver cells to prevent damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury during transplantation. By focusing on hepatocyte NAD+ preservation, the research intends to reduce early graft dysfunction and organ discard rates, especially for donation after cardiac death. The team will compare type III–selective inhibitors with existing compounds to show improved protection at lower, safer doses, moving toward a therapy that could be given to donor organs or recipients. The study builds on genetic and pharmacologic evidence that type III CD38 drives injury, and it will test potency, selectivity, and safety in preclinical models relevant to human liver transplantation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could increase the number of usable donor livers and improve transplant success by reducing early graft injury.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research supports CD38 as a driver of liver injury, and selective inhibition could offer improved outcomes over non-specific approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Black, Sylvester M — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Black, Sylvester M
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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.