Targeting endothelial cells to reduce kidney damage after transplant
Official title: Tailored siRNA delivery to human endothelium to inhibit and reverse inflammatory damage following ischemia reperfusion injury in the kidney
Funded at Villanova University · NIH-10908532 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help protect kidney transplants from damage that can happen when blood flow returns after surgery, using tiny particles to deliver special treatments directly to the blood vessels in the kidneys, and it's designed for people who have received a kidney transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Villanova University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Villanova, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $245,275 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HL157552-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908532 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing kidney transplantation who are at risk of ischemia reperfusion injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing kidney transplantation or those with pre-existing severe kidney damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new treatment to protect kidney grafts from damage caused by ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), which occurs when blood supply returns to the kidney after a period of ischemia. The approach involves delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA) directly to endothelial cells using specially designed nanoparticles, which can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. By targeting the inflammation and damage in the blood vessels of the kidney, the researchers aim to improve the health of transplanted organs. The study will evaluate how well this method works in models that mimic human blood vessel conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved outcomes for kidney transplant patients by reducing inflammation and damage to the graft.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using siRNA for targeted therapy is promising, this specific application in kidney transplantation is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Villanova University
Villanova, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bracaglia, Laura — Villanova University
- Study coordinator: Bracaglia, Laura
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.