Reprogrammed Monocytes for improved blood vessel growth in leg PAD
Official title: Reprogrammed Monocytes Improve Neovascularization in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11379880 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | March 4, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $514,670 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL176564-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379880 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with critical limb ischemia or advanced peripheral artery disease who are candidates for limb-salvage strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit include those without CLI/PAD or those for whom revascularization is not a contributing factor to their condition.
What this research studies
This project explores a novel approach using a patient’s own bone marrow monocytes that have been reprogrammed to support better blood flow after limb ischemia. The researchers will focus on the enzyme Dhcr24 and the buildup of desmosterol, testing whether these changes enhance neovascularization. They will investigate extracellular vesicles as a possible mechanism for how this reprogramming effects the whole body, and whether this strategy can translate into better limb perfusion and fewer complications for CLI/PAD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new therapies that improve blood flow to the legs and reduce the need for amputations in CLI/PAD patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed that ischemia training reprograms monocytes to help limb perfusion, supporting the potential of this strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lassance-Soares, Roberta Marques — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Lassance-Soares, Roberta Marques
Related research
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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.