Vitamin D inside transplanted islets to stop blood-triggered inflammation
Intracellular Vitamin D to Combat Instant Blood-Mediated Inflammatory Reaction
Trying a tiny vitamin D–carrying therapy to protect transplanted insulin-producing islets for people with type 1 diabetes or late-stage chronic pancreatitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136392 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When isolated insulin-producing islets are infused into the liver they can trigger instant blood-mediated inflammatory reactions (IBMIR) that kill many islets within 24 hours. This project uses a nanoparticle approach to deliver active vitamin D inside the islets to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and clotting without causing bleeding. Researchers will test whether this intracellular vitamin D treatment preserves islet survival during the immediate transplant period using laboratory and preclinical models that mimic human transplantation. The goal is a therapy that protects islets at the time of infusion and could be translated into clinical use at transplant centers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 1 diabetes or late-stage chronic pancreatitis who are candidates for islet transplantation are the intended beneficiaries.
Not a fit: People who are not receiving islet transplants, such as most individuals with type 2 diabetes or those ineligible for transplant, would not directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve early islet survival and raise the chances of insulin independence after islet transplantation without increasing bleeding risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous methods like heparin or dextran sulfate have reduced clotting or aggregation but not the combined oxidative-inflammatory injury, and intracellular vitamin D delivery is a novel approach with limited prior clinical data.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burke, Jacqueline Alexis — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Burke, Jacqueline Alexis
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 below.