New treatment approach for improving blood flow in patients with peripheral artery disease
Official title: Bioengineered Composite for the Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11054610 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new injectable treatment made from special materials to help improve blood flow and blood vessel growth for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), aiming to make existing therapies work better or even serve as a standalone option.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $405,345 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168513-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054610 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with peripheral artery disease who experience symptoms such as leg pain or cramping during physical activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced stages of peripheral artery disease or those who have other severe comorbidities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a bioengineered composite material aimed at treating peripheral artery disease (PAD), which affects millions of people. The approach involves creating a specialized injectable material that can enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies or serve as a standalone treatment. The researchers will optimize the material's properties to ensure it can withstand the dynamic environment of muscle tissue while promoting blood vessel growth and improving blood flow. By using advanced biomaterials, the study aims to provide a more effective solution for managing the symptoms of PAD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options that enhance blood flow and reduce symptoms for patients with peripheral artery disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using biomaterials in similar contexts, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Xiaowei — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Li, Xiaowei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Contrast-free ultrasound to measure tiny blood flow in legs to help PAD
A noninvasive ultrasound approach uses new metrics to quantify microvascular blood flow in the lower leg to aid in diagnosing and managing peripheral arterial disease.
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Understanding Spp1+ Macrophages and Muscle Healing in Peripheral Artery Disease
This grant supports a physician-scientist in Duke's vascular surgery program to study how a specific macrophage type called Spp1+ macrophages affect muscle healing in people with peripheral artery disease.
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Reprogrammed Monocytes for improved blood vessel growth in leg PAD
A study to see if reprogramming a patient’s own monocytes can boost new blood vessel growth and improve limb health in people with peripheral artery disease.
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This grant explores a new way to help people with severe leg artery disease by making certain immune cells grow more blood vessels to improve blood flow.
-
Carnosine and improved leg function in peripheral artery disease
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Understanding how CKD worsens leg artery disease at the cellular level
This grant explores why people with chronic kidney disease have faster, more severe peripheral artery disease and how specific cellular pathways contribute to worse blood flow and limb risk.
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.