Stem cell “cell-drones” to help heal damaged hearts
Cell-drones: engineered stem cell nanovesicles as alternatives to exosomes
['FUNDING_R01'] · TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR · NIH-11337819
This project creates engineered stem-cell nanovesicles called “cell-drones” to help hearts recover after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLLEGE STATION, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11337819 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will make large batches of nanovesicles by forcing mesenchymal stem cells through fine filters so the cells break into tiny engineered vesicles. They will characterize what these cell-drones contain, test for safety, and compare their effects with natural exosomes. The team will test the therapy in mouse and pig models of heart ischemia/reperfusion injury to see if the vesicles improve heart repair. Mechanistic studies will explore how the vesicles deliver regenerative signals to damaged heart tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: In future clinical trials, people who recently had a heart attack or acute ischemic injury to the heart could be the ideal candidates for this approach.
Not a fit: People with non-ischemic heart conditions, end-stage irreversible heart failure, or those needing immediate established treatments would likely not benefit from this early-stage work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a scalable, cell-free therapy that helps repair heart muscle after a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Exosome and extracellular vesicle therapies have shown promise in animal studies and early-phase trials, and some companies are testing extruded nanovesicles in other diseases, but using engineered cell-drones for heart repair is largely preclinical and novel.
Where this research is happening
COLLEGE STATION, UNITED STATES
- TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR — COLLEGE STATION, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HUANG, KE — TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR
- Study coordinator: HUANG, KE
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.