Using statins to prevent organ transplant rejection
Official title: Targeting the transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ with statins to prevent solid organ transplant rejection by HLA donor specific antibodies
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10890862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how statins might help prevent organ transplant rejection by targeting certain proteins in the immune system, which could lead to better outcomes for patients who have received transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $710,735 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173050-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone solid organ transplantation and are at risk of developing donor-specific antibodies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not received an organ transplant or those who do not exhibit risk factors for antibody-mediated rejection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how statins can target specific proteins involved in the immune response to prevent rejection of solid organ transplants. It focuses on understanding the role of certain transcriptional co-activators, YAP and TAZ, in the development of harmful antibodies that can lead to transplant failure. By exploring the mechanisms behind these antibodies, the research aims to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve transplant outcomes for patients. Patients who have received organ transplants may benefit from this innovative approach to enhance graft survival.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of organ transplant rejection and improve long-term transplant success rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar pathways to improve transplant outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reed, Elaine F — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Reed, Elaine F
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Immunological mechanisms behind treatment-resistant kidney transplant rejection
This grant explores why certain kidney transplant rejections don’t respond to standard treatments and what immune cells in the graft are driving that resistance.
-
Understanding how BK virus links infection to kidney transplant rejection
This project looks at how BK polyomavirus reactivation affects kidney transplant patients and aims to use pre-transplant T cell information to tailor immunosuppression and monitoring.
-
Biomarkers to tailor liver transplant immunosuppression
A multi-center study using blood biomarkers to guide how immunosuppressive drugs are given to liver transplant patients.
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Using blood biomarkers to guide immunosuppression after liver transplant
This project uses regular blood biomarker checks to help doctors personalize immunosuppression for people who have had a liver transplant to reduce rejection and protect the kidneys.
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Targeting YAP and TAZ with statins to prevent transplant rejection from donor antibodies
A study to see if statins can block specific gene regulators (YAP and TAZ) to protect transplanted organs from rejection caused by donor antibodies.
-
Predicting acute rejection in children after heart transplant
A study to improve how doctors predict if a child who has had a heart transplant will have acute rejection using noninvasive blood markers and advanced heart MRI analysis.
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.