Using dying immune cells in a biodegradable gel to boost blood vessel growth in skin wounds
Delivery of apoptotic neutrophils to improve angiogenesis during wound healing
Researchers will place harmless dying immune cells inside a degradable gel to encourage blood vessel growth and faster healing for people with slow-healing skin wounds like diabetic ulcers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172616 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team plans to load apoptotic neutrophils (dying white blood cells) into a gelatin-based biodegradable hydrogel and apply it to skin wounds so local macrophages clear them and produce blood-vessel promoting signals. In mouse models, including diabetic mice, this GelMA-plus-apoptotic-cell approach increased new vessel formation and improved aspects of healing without causing extra inflammation. The project will examine how macrophages take up the apoptotic cells, measure angiogenic growth factor release, and optimize the gel for safe, sustained delivery. The work aims to create a locally applied therapy to help wounds revascularize and close more effectively when normal healing is impaired.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with chronic or large skin wounds that heal poorly—for example diabetic foot or leg ulcers, major surgical wounds, or traumatic skin defects.
Not a fit: People with minor acute cuts, deep internal injuries, certain bleeding disorders or severe immune deficiencies, or wounds that cannot be treated topically may not receive benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could speed healing, increase blood vessel formation, and reduce scarring for patients with slow-healing skin wounds such as diabetic ulcers.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work in mice, including diabetic models, demonstrated improved angiogenesis with apoptotic neutrophil delivery in GelMA, but this specific delivery method is novel and has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Wendy — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Liu, Wendy
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.