Targeting endothelial cells to reduce kidney damage after transplant

Tailored siRNA delivery to human endothelium to inhibit and reverse inflammatory damage following ischemia reperfusion injury in the kidney

NIH-funded research Villanova University · NIH-10908532

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVillanova University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Villanova, United States)
Project IDNIH-10908532 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing kidney transplantation who are at risk of ischemia reperfusion injury.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing kidney transplantation or those with pre-existing severe kidney damage may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.