Creating universal vascular grafts from human stem cells

Development of HLA engineered universal vascular grafts from human iPSCs

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10892249

This study is working on creating new blood vessel grafts from special stem cells to help people with artery problems, like injuries or hardening of the arteries, so they can have safer and more effective options for surgery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10892249 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing small diameter vascular grafts using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to address the needs of patients with peripheral arterial injuries or atherosclerosis. The approach involves creating tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) that mimic the properties of natural blood vessels, which can be used in surgical procedures. By utilizing hiPSCs, the grafts can be produced in a reproducible manner, offering a potential solution to the limitations of existing graft options, such as infection risks and limited availability of autologous vessels. The grafts are designed to be decellularized and then endothelialized, making them suitable for implantation in patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from peripheral arterial injuries or atherosclerosis who require vascular grafts.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have peripheral arterial conditions or those who are not candidates for vascular graft surgeries may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with a reliable and safe option for vascular grafts, improving outcomes in surgeries for peripheral arterial conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using tissue-engineered grafts derived from stem cells, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, 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.
Conditions Arterial InjuryAtherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.