Engineered stem cell therapy for chronic pancreatitis pain
hAAT-engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
This project uses modified stem cells that make a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin to try to reduce long-lasting pain from chronic pancreatitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11206901 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are using mesenchymal stem/stromal cells that have been engineered to produce human alpha-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) and testing them in a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis. In mice, these cells have reduced pain behaviors, lowered the number of mast cells in the pancreas, and reduced inflammatory signals in nearby nerve cells called dorsal root ganglia. The team aims to map how pancreatic inflammation talks to nerves and causes long-term pain so they can identify targets for new treatments. Although the current work is in animals, the goal is to apply what is learned to help veterans and others with chronic pancreatic pain and potentially other inflammation-driven chronic pain conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with long-term pain from chronic pancreatitis, especially veterans interested in future stem-cell based treatment options, would be the most relevant candidates for follow-up clinical work.
Not a fit: People whose chronic pain is unrelated to pancreatic inflammation or neuropathic mechanisms are less likely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new treatments that lessen chronic pancreatitis pain and inform therapies for other inflammation-related chronic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Other preclinical studies using unmodified mesenchymal stem cells have shown reductions in inflammation and pain in animals, but using hAAT-engineered MSCs is a newer strategy still mainly tested in animal models.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Hongjun — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wang, Hongjun
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.