Grant Award Details
- Obtain proof-of-concept for an autologous cell-based therapeutic (HyA-FAP-BAT) that contains fibroadipogenic progenitor (FAP) cells harvested from patient muscle, induced to a beige adipose tissue (BAT) phenotype that has high promyogenic activity, delivered in a hyaluronic acid (HyA)-based hydrogel in a delayed rotator cuff repair model.
Grant Application Details
- Matrix Assisted Cell Transplantation of Promyogenic Fibroadipogenic Progenitor (FAP) Stem Cells
Research Objective
We seek to develop a cell based-hydrogel therapy to improve outcomes in patients with muscle degeneration. The technology will improve muscle through sustained release of cell-based cytokines.
Impact
While designed for rotator cuff injuries based on the model, low back pain and spinal degeneration as well as traumatic muscle loss would be well served by this therapeutic.
Major Proposed Activities
- Evaluation of pro-myogenic activity of human FAP-BAT in co-culture experiments. We will confirm the ability to isolate human FAPs and differentiate into a pro-myogenic subpopulation of myogenic FAPs.
- Optimization of hydrogels for engrafting of BAT-FAPs. We will select one candidate HyA hydrogel formulation that allows for the highest pro-myogenic and beige fat gene expression of implanted FAP-BATs
- Characterization of MACT-BAT-FAPs transplantation in a delayed rotator cuff repair. We will implant hydogels + FAPs in a delayed rotator cuff repair model to determine effects on muscle quality.
The proposed research will be of significant impact to the citizens of California. Given the aging population, an increasing number of California citizens are likely to develop rotator cuff injuries and other conditions that result in muscle degeneration. If successful, this product would offer the first treatment to treat localized muscle atrophy and degeneration through a cell based transplant strategy that stimulates exogenous and endogenous delivery of promyogenic factors.