How hemangioma stem cells build blood vessels
Blood vessel assembly from multipotent hemangioma-derived stem cells
This work looks at cells from infantile hemangiomas to find new ways to stop harmful blood-vessel growth in babies with problematic hemangiomas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321261 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your baby has an infantile hemangioma, the team uses stem cells taken from the hemangioma to see how they turn into blood-vessel cells. They test drugs, including the R+ forms of propranolol and atenolol and small molecules that block the SOX18 protein, in lab models made with patient-derived cells. Researchers analyze gene activity and pathways such as the mevalonate pathway to find which processes these drugs change. The goal is to identify targeted treatments that prevent dangerous vessel growth and lower the need for surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Infants with problematic infantile hemangiomas—for example those that threaten vision, breathing, feeding, or that do not respond to current treatments—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Babies with small, uncomplicated hemangiomas or those whose lesions have already involuted are unlikely to get direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to more targeted medicines that stop hemangiomas from growing and reduce the need for surgery or long-term side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Propranolol has helped many infants with hemangiomas, but using R+ enantiomers and direct SOX18 inhibitors is a newer, experimental approach still under study.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bischoff, Joyce E. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bischoff, Joyce E.
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.