Fat‑derived stem‑cell secretions to protect donor hearts
Functional and Mechanistic Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome to Ameliorate Ischemic Damage of Porcine Heart ex vivo and Human Myocardium
This project looks at whether substances made by fat‑derived stem cells can protect donated hearts and help people waiting for heart transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10951515 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use human heart tissue and pig hearts kept alive outside the body to test whether the mixture of factors released by adipose‑derived stromal cells (the secretome) lessens damage from lack of blood flow. They apply the secretome before or during controlled periods of warm and cold ischemia and then measure heart function, cell survival, and markers of injury using ex‑vivo perfusion systems. The team compares treated and untreated hearts to see if treated hearts recover better and have less cell death. The goal is to find ways to improve preservation so more donor hearts can safely be used for transplantation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People 21 and older who are listed for heart transplantation, patients undergoing heart explantation, or donors/families consenting to research use of donor hearts would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients who are not transplant candidates, children under 21, or those with heart conditions unrelated to graft preservation are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve preservation of donor hearts, increase the number of usable grafts, and reduce deaths among people on transplant waiting lists.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies have shown promising protective effects of adipose‑derived stromal cells and their secretions, but clinical application for donor heart preservation remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: March, Keith Leonard — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: March, Keith Leonard
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.