In these studies we examined the effects of reducing the receptor c-met on the surface of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The reduction was accomplished by using inhibitory RNA (RNAi, SHRNA) technology. It was learned that this receptor is important on the surface of the primitive MSCs that traffic to areas of injury and initiate revascularization and tissue repair.

These studies formed the early basis on which we began the CIRM-funded studies, through learning the techniques of genetically engineering the MSCs to produce robust amounts of small interfering RNA (siRNA).

Although the work was not specifically funded by CIRM, it is highly related and Dr. Nolta was a CIRM-funded investigator during the completion of these studies. Manuscript acknowledgements state: “We would like to thank the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) for funding a continuation of the work to study MSC engineered to produce and deliver siRNA (CIRM TR1-01257: [Nolta]).”