Using engineered cells to improve immune response in autoimmune diseases
Official title: Engineered Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Enhanced Immunosuppression
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11136992 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make special cells called mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) even better at helping people with autoimmune diseases, like graft versus host disease and inflammatory bowel disease, by giving them a new ability to target and calm down the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $807,447 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179974-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136992 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases such as graft versus host disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with autoimmune conditions not targeted by this research or those who do not respond to MSC therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to treat autoimmune diseases by engineering them to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). The approach aims to improve the cells' ability to target and suppress immune responses in conditions like graft versus host disease and inflammatory bowel disease. By utilizing advanced techniques such as viral vectors and CRISPR, the researchers will investigate how these engineered cells can better traffic to affected tissues and exert their immunosuppressive effects. The study will involve preclinical models to assess the safety and efficacy of these CAR-MSCs compared to unmodified MSCs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with autoimmune diseases, potentially reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered cells for immunosuppression, but this specific approach with CAR-MSCs is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kenderian, Saad J. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Kenderian, Saad J.
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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.