How a muscle signal harms blood vessel repair in diabetes

MyomiR-499, Exosomes and Endothelial and Endothelial Progenitor Cells dysfunction in Diabetes

NIH-funded research Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-11307624

This project looks at whether a muscle-made tiny RNA (miR-499) carried in exosomes harms the cells that rebuild blood vessels in people with diabetes and leads to poor healing in badly reduced leg blood flow.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTemple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11307624 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will use diabetic mouse models and laboratory cell work to see if skeletal muscle releases exosomes carrying miR-499 that reach endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells and weaken their ability to grow new blood vessels. They will create limb ischemia in mice, measure blood flow and vessel repair, and change miR-499 levels in muscle or exosomes to observe effects on healing. The team will also study the molecular signaling steps inside blood-vessel cells that respond to miR-499. Together these approaches aim to show whether blocking or modifying this muscle-to-vessel signal could improve repair in diabetes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with diabetes, particularly those with poor leg blood flow or early signs of critical limb ischemia, would be the most relevant group for future clinical testing based on these findings.

Not a fit: People without diabetes or whose limb problems come from non-vascular causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to protect or restore blood-vessel repair and reduce the risk of critical limb ischemia in people with diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show that improving endothelial and endothelial progenitor cell function can help ischemic limb repair, but targeting muscle-derived miR-499 via exosomes is a newer approach with limited prior testing.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.