Matching donor mesenchymal stem cells to the right patients
A Clinical Indications Prediction (CLIP) Scale for Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
A tool that matches donor mesenchymal stem cells to patients with acute lung injury so treatments work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309160 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project refines a CLIP scoring system that uses a biomarker called TWIST1 to predict how active donor mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) will be for different therapeutic uses. Researchers will measure TWIST1 and other quality features in donor cells, test how manufacturing steps affect those features, and rank donor cells for specific clinical needs. The team plans to link lab potency tests with animal and clinical data to guide which MSC products are best for particular types of lung injury. The goal is to create clear selection rules so patients receive MSC products that are more likely to help them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute lung injury or acute pulmonary injury who are eligible for MSC therapy or clinical trials testing MSC products would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without lung injury or those who are not eligible for stem cell therapies are unlikely to see direct benefits from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make MSC treatments for acute lung injury more reliable by choosing the best donor cells for each patient.
How similar studies have performed: Some MSC clinical trials have shown benefits in certain conditions but results have been mixed, and applying TWIST1 as a predictive biomarker is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phinney, Donald G — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Phinney, Donald G
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.