Engineered cell carriers that deliver medicines to inflamed tissues
Bioengineering of Enucleated Cell Therapeutics for Treating Inflammatory Diseases
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11262331
This work develops tiny, cell-based carriers that deliver medicines directly to inflamed tissues for people with inflammatory conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11262331 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating "Cargocytes," which are enucleated, engineered cells made from mesenchymal stem cells and programmed to home to inflamed blood vessels and damaged tissues. The carriers are given chemoattractant receptors (CCR2, CXCR4) and an adhesion molecule (PSGL-1) so they respond to signals like CCL2, CXCL12 and P- and E-selectins at sites of inflammation. These enucleated carriers are loaded with mRNA therapeutic cargo and tested for where they travel in the body, how well they reach targets, and their safety after intravenous delivery. The lab and preclinical work aims to improve precision of drug delivery and reduce off-target side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with active, localized inflammatory conditions—such as certain forms of arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease—would be the most likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: Patients without localized inflammatory signals or those who cannot receive cell-derived therapies may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let medicines reach inflamed tissues more precisely and reduce side effects from systemic treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches like nanoparticles and exosomes have shown promise in preclinical studies, but this enucleated cell carrier approach is novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KLEMKE, RICHARD L. — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: KLEMKE, RICHARD L.
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.