Using stem cells to improve treatment for peripheral arterial disease in veterans
Official title: Improving Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells as Therapy for Peripheral Arterial Disease
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-10924860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for veterans with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) that uses special cells to help improve blood flow in their legs and prevent serious problems like amputations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Decatur, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1IK2BX006275-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10924860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans experiencing advanced peripheral arterial disease, particularly those at risk of limb loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have peripheral arterial disease or those who are not veterans may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new therapy for veterans suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which often leads to severe complications like limb amputation. The approach involves using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPSC-ECs) to enhance vascular regeneration in patients' limbs. By stimulating these cells with specific treatments, the research aims to improve blood flow and prevent major amputations. This innovative method could provide a more effective treatment option compared to current palliative care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the need for amputations and improve the quality of life for veterans with advanced PAD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using similar stem cell approaches for vascular regeneration, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Decatur, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hekman, Katherine Elizabeth — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Hekman, Katherine Elizabeth
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.
-
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.
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Carnosine and improved leg function in peripheral artery disease
This grant tests whether taking carnosine can improve leg function for people with 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.