Breathing in Stem Cell Products for Heart Damage
Inhalable stem cell exosome therapy for cardiac injury
This project explores a new way to deliver tiny healing particles from stem cells, called exosomes, through breathing them in to help repair hearts damaged by a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11103363 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When a heart attack happens, blood flow is blocked, which can lead to serious heart failure because the heart has trouble repairing itself. While stem cell treatments have shown promise, they often face challenges with how they are delivered and whether the body accepts them. This project focuses on tiny healing particles called exosomes, which are released by stem cells and carry beneficial components without the issues of using whole cells. Our team is developing a way to deliver these exosomes by having patients breathe them in, aiming for an easier and more effective treatment. This method could help the heart repair itself after an injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is ultimately aimed at helping patients who have experienced a heart attack and have damage to their heart muscle.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart conditions are not related to damage from a heart attack may not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new inhalable treatment could offer a simpler and more effective way to help hearts recover after a heart attack, potentially preventing severe heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using stem cells and their healing components have shown promise in laboratory settings and some early human trials, suggesting a strong foundation for this new approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia Univ New York Morningside — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Ke — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Ke
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.