How aging and muscle activity change tiny particles that help muscles heal
The opposing effects of matrix aging and muscle activity on extracellular vesicle promotion of muscle regeneration
This project tests whether small particles released by muscle cells and the stiffness of the surrounding tissue affect how well older muscles recover after injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlestown, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326809 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would learn how researchers are comparing younger and older muscle environments to see how small cell-released packages called extracellular vesicles help muscle stem cells rebuild tissue. They will change the stiffness and makeup of the muscle scaffold and examine how muscle activity alters vesicle content and stem cell behavior. Work will combine lab-grown cells, engineered surfaces, and animal models, and may include human muscle samples to connect results back to people. The team aims to find ways to reduce scarring and improve strength after injury in older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with age-related muscle weakness or recent skeletal muscle injuries would be the most likely future candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People with genetic muscular disorders unrelated to aging or injuries that do not involve skeletal muscle may not see direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that boost muscle repair and reduce fibrosis, improving recovery and function in older adults after injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown that matrix stiffness and extracellular vesicles influence muscle stem cell fate, but translating these findings to improve regeneration in aged muscle is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Charlestown, United States
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital — Charlestown, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ambrosio, Fabrisia — Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ambrosio, Fabrisia
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.