NIH-funded research R01 grant

Harnessing Platelet-Endothelial Interactions to Deliver Exosomes

Official title: Harnessing Platelet-Endothelial Interactions for Exosome Delivery

Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-11402592 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Aims to improve delivery of therapeutic exosomes to injured heart and lung tissue using platelet-endothelial interactions in people with acute lung injury or myocardial injury.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia Univ New York Morningside
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2019
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$735,942
NIH project number5R01HL144002-08
Project IDNIH-11402592 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are individuals with acute myocardial infarction or acute pulmonary injury in which exosome-based therapies could be relevant in future trials.

Less likely to help

This approach may not benefit patients if delivery improvements do not translate to therapeutic effects or if safety concerns arise.

What this research studies

This project explores a new way to guide therapeutic exosomes to damaged heart and lung tissues by leveraging how platelets interact with the vascular system. Researchers will study how exosomes can be engineered to bind to injured blood vessels and be taken up by cells at sites of injury, potentially increasing their therapeutic impact while reducing off-target distribution. The work involves translating cell-free exosome therapies toward better delivery in models of ischemia/reperfusion injury and acute lung injury, aiming to move closer to human applications. The long-term goal is to improve outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction and acute pulmonary injury by more efficiently delivering healing signals.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients with heart or lung injuries could receive more effective exosome therapies with lower doses.

How similar studies have gone: Exosome-based therapies have progressed in early trials, with delivery challenges still being addressed in preclinical work.

Where this research is happening

  • Columbia Univ New York Morningside
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Cheng, Ke — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
  • Study coordinator: Cheng, Ke

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.