Mesenchymal cells to protect lungs by moving mitochondria to repair blood vessel function
Official title: Intravenously injected mesenchymal stromal cells protect against Acute Lung Injury by transferring mitochondria to restore endothelial function
Funded at University of South Alabama · NIH-11395378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to test whether intravenously given mesenchymal stromal cells can help people with acute lung injury by transferring mitochondria to lung cells and restoring their barrier function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Alabama NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mobile, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $713,604 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL175058-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with acute lung injury or ARDS, or patients at risk of developing these conditions, who could participate in future trials or donate samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without acute lung injury or ARDS or those unable to participate in future cell-based studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will use mouse lungs and human lung tissue slices to watch how bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cells attach to lung blood vessels, transfer mitochondria, and strengthen the endothelial barrier. The researchers will track attachment signals (selectins, connexin 43) and mitochondrial transfer in real-time with live imaging. They will also study how restored mitochondrial function reactivates the calcium buffering system in endothelial cells to protect lung tissue. The study uses patient-relevant human tissue alongside animal models to explore a potential therapy for ALI/ARDS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a new cell-based therapy that reduces lung injury and improves recovery for patients with ALI/ARDS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous preclinical studies showed protective effects of mesenchymal stromal cells in ALI, supporting the potential but requiring confirmation in human tissues.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Alabama
Mobile, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Islam, Mohammad Naimul — University of South Alabama
- Study coordinator: Islam, Mohammad Naimul
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.