The research we perform at the Ohio State Comprehensive Transplant Center covers basic, translational and clinical, with the goal of developing the next generation of surgical innovation. Read More. What we learn at the bench we apply to the bedside.

Current research studies:

Heart Transplant Research
Lung Transplant Research
Kidney Transplant Research
Liver Transplant Research
Islet Transplant Research
Research Grants

Heart Transplant Research

Lung Transplant Research

Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP)
Study title: Novel Lung Trial: Normothermic Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) as an Assessment of Extended/Marginal Donor Lung for Transplant
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Bryan Whitson, MD, PhD
- Overview: This multicenter study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) using the XVIVO Perfusion System (XPS™). Human donor lungs that do not meet the standard clinical criteria for donor lung utilization but fit into the study inclusion criteria will be re-assessed by the transplant team. The lungs will then be physiologically assessed during ex vivo perfusion using Steen solution with the addition of methylprednisolone, heparin and antibiotics. EVLP can increase the number of lungs available for transplantation and assure good organ quality for transplantation
Novel Markers of Human Lung Disease
Study title: Identification of Novel Markers of Human Lung Disease
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Megan Ballinger, PhD
- Overview: This study examines the role of specific cell types in regulating lung diseases such as interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary hypertension. Cells are isolated from a diseased lung post-transplantation and measured for a variety of parameters including production of cellular mediators, expression of genes important in signal transduction pathways, functionality of cells, viability and proliferation. Data collection from these cells will provide essential information regarding cellular dysfunction and dysregulation during lung disease and will enable the development of novel therapeutics
Extracorporeal Photopheresis for Medicare Recipients
Study title: Extrcorporeal Photopheresis for Medicare Recipients of Lung Allografts (ECP)
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Brian Keller, MD, PhD
- Overview: This is a multi-institutional clinical trial to determine the efficacy and tolerability of Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) for the treatment of either refractory or newly diagnosed Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS), a form of chronic rejection, in patients after lung transplantation. In compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) decision, the study will collect specified demographic, comorbidity, treatment, and outcome data exclusively for Medicare beneficiaries who are treated with Extracorporeal Photopheresis for either refractory or New Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome.
(BOSTON-1) Liposomal Cyclosporine A for BOS
Study title: Liposomal Cyclosporine A Inhalation Solution in the Treatment of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome in Patients Post Single Lung Transplant (BOSTON-1)
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Brian Keller, MD, PhD
- Overview: BOSTON-1 is a Phase III randomized, controlled clinical trial of lysosomal cyclosporine A (L-CsA) for the treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), a form of chronic rejection, in adults following single lung transplant. Patients will receive either L-CsA (5 mg) via the PARI Investigational eFlow® Device twice daily plus Standard of Care (SoC) treatment, or SoC alone, for a period of 48 weeks. All patients will be eligible to continue in an open-label extension trial of L-CsA following completion of BOSTON-1.
(BOSTON-2) Liposomal Cyclosporine A for BOS
Study title: Liposomal Cyclosporine A Inhalation Solution in the Treatment of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome in Patients Post Double Lung Transplant (BOSTON-2)
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Brian Keller, MD, PhD
- Overview: BOSTON-2 is a Phase III randomized, controlled clinical trial of lysosomal cyclosporine A (L-CsA) for the treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), a form of chronic rejection, in adults following double lung transplant. Patients will receive either L-CsA (10 mg) via the PARI Investigational eFlow® Device twice daily plus Standard of Care (SoC) treatment, or SoC alone, for a period of 48 weeks. All patients will be eligible to continue in an open-label extension trial of L-CsA following completion of BOSTON-2.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
Study title: Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in the Evaluation of Lung Transplant
- Principal investigator: David Nunley, MD
- Overview: This investigation is designed to determine which physiologic parameters denoting physical fitness may be associated with improved outcomes following lung transplantation. Additionally, the study is designed to determine which of these parameters may further be improved via pre-transplant rehabilitation. All study participants have two non-invasive cardiopulmonary exercise tests performed which are separated by an interval of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. All candidates for lung transplantation are potentially eligible for enrollment.
Donor Quality Study
Study title: Donor Quality Study: American College of Chest Physicians Lung Transplant Research Consortium
- Principal investigator: David Nunley, MD
- Overview: This investigation is conducted as part of a consortium that consists of 13 lung transplant centers throughout the United States, and is designed to identify factors that help transplant physicians in their decision to accept or decline donor lungs for transplantation. Phase 2 of this investigation will involve using predictive models to better standardize donor lung acceptance for transplantation.

Kidney Transplant Research

Long Term Outcomes of Living Donation or ALTOLD
Study title: Assessing Longterm Outcomes of Living Donation or ALTOLD
- Principal investigator: Todd Pesavento, MD
- Overview: The purpose of this study is to thoroughly evaluate the long-term risk, if any, of kidney donation. Specific aims are glomerular filtration rate, risk factors for cardiovascular disease and proteinuria in healthy controls compared to subjects post-unilateral nephrectomy. This is a longitudinal study follow-up is occurring at eight sites and has been approved for nine years of follow-up
Cinryze® for the Treatment of Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection
Study title: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Cinryze® (C1 Esterase Inhibitor [Human]) for the Treatment of Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplant Patients
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Amer Rajab, MD, PhD
- Overview: This is a multicenter, multinational study evaluating the efficacy of 20,000 total units of Cinryze given intravenously in seven doses over 13 days as an adjunct to plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) for the treatment of acute antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplant recipients as measured by the proportion of subjects with new or worsening transplant glomerulopahty (TG) within six months
QPI-1002 for Prevention of Delayed Graft Function
Study title: A Phase three, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of QPI-1002 for Prevention of Delayed Graft Function in Recipients of a Donation After Brain Death Older Donor Kidney Transplant

Note: This study has finished enrollment and Ohio State was one of the top 10 enrolling sites globally and the third highest enrolling site in the nation.
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Ashraf El-Hinnawi, MD
- Overview: Ohio State is one of the top ten enrolling centers in the U.S. for this phase three randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-center trial stratified by donor age and by region to evaluate the reduction in incidence and severity of delayed graft function with kidney allografts from DBD donors who were at least 45 years of age
Sirolimus and Everolimus in Combination with Low Dose Cyclosporine
Study title: Differentiating Sirolimus and Everolimus in Combination with Low Dose Cyclosporine in De Novo Kidney Transplant Patients—The Effects on Vascular Endothelial and Kidney Function
- Principal investigator: Amer Rajab, MD, PhD
- Overview: This is an optional sub-study for patients enrolled in the Zortress vs. Rapamune research study with Dr. Pelletier. For this sub-study we are working with a researcher at the University of Colorado, Uwe Christians, MD, to extend the Zortress vs Rapamune study into the laboratory. By extending the study into the laboratory we will be able to test plasma from transplant patients for specific molecular markers related to kidney and vascular function. This testing will allow us to see how different medications affect these molecular markers and thus how different medications affect kidney and vascular function
Comparing Everolimus and Sirolimus in Renal Transplant Recipients
Study title: A Prospective, Randomized, Single Center Pilot Study Comparing Patient and Graft Survival, Adverse Events and Tolerability of Zortress® (Everolimus) Versus Rapamune® (Sirolimus) in Combination With Low Dose Neoral® (Cyclosporine) Dosed by C2 Monitoring, in Deceased and Living Donor Renal Transplant Recipients Under a Thymoglobulin® (Antithymocyte Globulin) and Rapid Steroid Induction Protocol.
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Amer Rajab, MD, PhD
- Overview: The primary objective of this pilot study will be to determine equivalency of Zortress® as compared to Rapamune® when used in our de novo immunosuppression regimen following renal transplantation. The primary endpoint will be a composite endpoint of graft survival (non-death censored) and biopsy proven acute rejection at one year. The primary outcome of immunosuppressive protection would be studied in our Thymoglobulin and rapid steroid discontinuation protocol, with "half-dose" Neoral as described above
BB3 to Reduce Delayed Graft Function
Study title: A Multicenter, Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Study of BB3 to Reduce the Severity of Delayed Graft Function in Recipients of a Deceased Donor Kidney
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Ashraf El-Hinnawi, MD
- Overview: The purpose of this research study is to see if an investigational drug, BB3, is safe and effective for increasing the amount of urine kidneys produce post-transplant.
Cellular Immunotherapy in Recipients of HLA-matched, Living Donor Kidney Transplants
Study title: A Phase 3, Randomized, Multi-center, Open-label, Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Cellular Immunotherapy With MDR-101 for Induction of Immune Tolerance in Recipients of HLA-matched, Living Donor Kidney Transplants
- Weblink to trial
- Facebook page
- Principal investigator: Amer Rajab, MD, PhD
- Overview: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of cellular immunotherapy with MDR-101 for induction of functional immune tolerance in recipients of human leukocyte antigen-matched, living donor kidney transplants.
Letermovir vs. Valganciclovir for Prevention of CMV in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Study title: A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Comparator-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MK-8228 (Letermovir) Versus Valganciclovir for the Prevention of Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease in Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients
- Principal investigator: Alejandro Diez, MD
- Overview: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of letermovir versus valganciclovir, as measured by the proportion of participants with adjudicated CMV disease through post-transplant week 52.
AlloSure: KOAR
Study title: Evaluation of Patient Outcomes From the Kidney Allograft Outcomes AlloSure Registry (KOAR)
- Principal investigator: Reem Daloul, MD
- Overview: This observational registry evaluates patient outcomes in kidney transplant recipients who undergo regular use of AlloSure testing. The registry will provide information on outcomes of patients who undergo monitoring for rejection using AlloSure in clinical practice compared to outcomes in patients who are not monitored for rejection using AlloSure.

Liver Transplant Research

Acute Liver Failure
Study title: A Multi-Center Group to Study Acute Liver Failure
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: James Hanje, MD
- Overview: The objective of this study is to further elucidate the pathogenesis of liver injury and multi-organ failure and collect clinical and demographic data on patients with acute liver failure
13C-Methacetin Breath Test
Study title: 13C-Methacetin Breath Test for the Prediction of Outcome in Acute Liver Failure (ALF-MBT)
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: James Hanje, MD
- Overview: The primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of the 13C-Methacetin Breath Test for the prediction of outcome in acute liver failure
Hemostatic Abnormalities
Study title: Potential Use of Rotational Thromboelastometry to Explore Hemostatic Abnormalities in Patients with Acute Liver Failure (ALF-ROTEM)
- Principal investigator: James Hanje, MD
- Overview: Observations suggest that patients with ALF maintain normal global hemostasis under most conditions, and offer mechanisms whereby the “bleeding tendency” may actually be a tendency to clot. These studies have the potential to show that administering pro-hemostatic factors does not decrease post-procedural bleeding complications, but may adversely affect outcome, contrary to common belief
OCS® Liver PROTECT Trial
Study title: International Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of The Portable Organ Care System (OCS®) Liver For Preserving and Assessing Donor Livers for Transplantation (OCS® Liver PROTECT Trial)
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Sylvester Black, MD, PhD
- Overview: A prospective, phased-pivotal, international randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the OCS® Liver to preserve and assess donor livers intended for transplantation.
Quantitation of HCV RNA
Study title: Quantitation of HCV RNA in Whole Blood Samples Obtained from Individual Subjects at Specific Time-Points During the Course of Treatment for Hepatitis C
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: James Hanje, MD
- Overview: The purpose of this protocol is to assess the overall performance of a new nucleic acid test to monitor the viral load of hepatitis C patients receiving or initiating a drug treatment regimen by obtaining whole blood samples at specific time points over the course of their therapy

Islet Transplant Research

Islet Allotransplantation in Type 1 Diabetes
Study title: Islet Allotransplantation in Type 1 Diabetes
- Weblink to trial
- Principal investigator: Amer Rajab, MD, PhD
- Overview: This is a single center, prospective, phase one study investigating the use of islet transplantation for the treatment of type 1 diabetes in subjects receiving islets alone or islets after kidney transplant. The aims of this study are to determine the safety of islet transplantation, to determine whether islet transplantation will reduce the frequency of severe hypoglycemia events, to determine whether a steroid-free immunosuppressive protocol will prevent rejection in islet transplants and to achieve insulin independence after islet transplant. A total of 20 subjects will be transplanted with a 12-month follow-up after the last transplantation.
Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry
Study title: Collaborative Islet Transplant Registry
- Principal investigator: Amer Rajab, MD, PhD
- Overview: A multi-center study designed to collect and analyze data on both allogeneic and autologous islet transplant patients and outcomes allowing for a comprehensive analysis that will identify risk factors and determinants for success to help move the field forward.
Advancing Treatment for Pancreatitis
Study title: Advancing Treatment for Pancreatitis: A Prospective Observational Study of TPIAT (POST Study)
- Principal investigators: Luis F. Lara, MD and Melena Bellin, MD, University of Minnesota
- Overview: A prospective data gathering trial of patients undergoing total pancreatectomy and auto islet transplantation

Research Grants

Active Research Grants

Active and pending grants:

Sylvester Black, MD, PhD - Muscle-liver croostalk via the myokine MG53 plays a critical role in hepatocellular protection, NIH RO1 NIDDK, 3/1/2020 - 3/1/2025, $3,200,000 - read more
Ginny Bumgardner MD, PhD - Advanced research training in immunology for surgery trainees (ARTIST), National Institutes of Health (NIH, NIAID), 8/1/2019 - 7/31/2024, $1,600,000
Austin Schenk, MD, PhD – TCR Repertoire, Specificity, and the Endothelial Barrier in Allograft Rejection and Tolerance, American Heart Association Career Development Award, 4/1/2019 -3/31/2022, $231,000
Ginny Bumgardner MD, PhD - Type I NKT cell mediated enhance of CD8+ Cytolytic T cells, 1/1/2018 - 12/31/2023
Ginny Bumgardner MD, PhD - Novel mechanisms regulating post-transplant alloantibody productions, 10/1/2017 - 9/30/2022
Bryan Whitson, MD, PhD - Preservation and rescue of the lung donor allograft for transplantation, NIH RO1, 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2023, $3,472,273
Bryan Whitson, MD, PhD - Developing MG53 as a novel protein therapeutic for acute lung injury, Department of Defense, 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2021, $3,696,579

Recently completed grants:

Sylvester Black, MD, PhD - Hepatic Stellate Cell Mediation of Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Liver Transplantation, The Ohio State University Department of Surgery Faculty Development Grant, 1/2017 - 1/2019, $25,000 per year for two years
Ginny Bumgardner MD, PhD - Advanced research training in immunology for surgery trainees (ARTIST), National Institutes of Health (NIH, NIAID), 8/15/2014 - 7/31/2019, $728,445
Jason Zimmerer PhD, Ginny Bumgardner MD, PhD - DOS Lockwood Early Career Development Award, Investigation of Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms, T Cell Profiles and Alloantibody Levels and Isotypes from Peripheral Blood in Primary Kidney Transplant Patients, 11/5/2014 - 11/5/2017, $25,000
Ginny Bumgardner MD, PhD - Novel mechanisms regulating post-transplant alloantibody productions, NIH RO1, 9/1/2011 - 8/31/2016, $1,527,967
Ginny Bumgardner MD, PhD - Demographic and Clinical Factors and Transplant Outcomes Associated with Hospital Readmissions within the First Year after Kidney Transplantation in Adult Recipients, OSU Comprehensive Transplant Center, 05/30/2015 - 12/30/2016