Grant of the Month 2010

PI Steven Little

Co-Investigators Charles Sfeir

Title Treatments for Periodontitis that Restore Immunological Homeostasis Read More

Title ARM-IV Postdoctoral Program (Four Positions)

Description 1. “Rational Synthesis of Triggerably-Dissolvable Materials for Minimally Invasive Removal of WoundCAP Delivery Devices”
Mentors: Steven Little, Ph.D. and William Wagner, Ph.D.
Objective: The ultimate objective is to develop a robust, hollow fiber-based system (WoundCAP) to deliver regenerative growth factors to a wound site while including the means for minimally invasive removal/dissolution of the delivery system. We hypothesize that the resulting hollow fibers wound cap will have robust mechanical properties to maintain stable structures, but will dissolve rapidly upon application of a trigger, either a temperature change or enzyme solution injection. Read More

PI Robert Squires

Title A Multi-Center Group to Study Acute Liver Failure in Children

Co-Investigators Yoram Vodovotz

Description Our goal is to improve short- and long-term outcomes for pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) through a better understanding of patient phenotypes, reassessment of risk classifications, and associating early events to outcome at one year. We will integrate two research efforts (Vodovotz-3UO1DK-072146-05S1 and Roberts-1R21DK084201-01) currently collaborating with the PALF Study Group (NIH/NIDDK UO1 DK072146-05) which are (1) modeling PALF as a complex biological system using physiological and inflammatory biomarkers and (2) developing models to represent the liver transplant (LT) decisions in PALF. To examine our hypotheses that clinical, biochemical, genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, immunologic, and cytokine analyses in PALF can be used to accurately define phenotypes that respond favorably to directed therapy (e.g., immunomodulation) as well as predict disease progression, including potential for spontaneous recovery or risk of death, all of which will provide a platform on which computer/informatics-based (e.g., in silico) studies can inform the design and conduct of clinical trials, and evaluate the impact of therapeutic decisions, including LT; we propose these Aims: Aim 1: To comprehensively characterize PALF phenotypes utilizing traditional clinical, biochemical, diagnostic, and management profiles supplemented by immune, inflammatory and liver regeneration markers to identify factors that explain variations in outcomes for PALF phenotypes. Outcomes include survival, LT, neurocognitive function, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 6 months and 1 year after enrollment. Aim 2: To model the dynamics of PALF within and between distinct phenotypes using serially collected clinical, physiological, and biomarker data. Statistical modeling techniques will be augmented with models used to represent complex biological systems to more accurately reflect the dynamic nature of PALF. The data and models will be utilized to create a computer-based or “in silico” analog of PALF to simulate interventional studies and to assess treatment, including LT decision processes and to estimate the impact of improved decision-making on organ allocation. Read More

PI Thomas Gilbert Title Cardiac Remodeling with Organ Specific Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds Co-Investigators Kimimasa Tobita, Stephen Badylak Description Improved materials for cardiac reconstruction of congenital defects and heart failure are needed. Current surgical approaches for cardiac reconstruction utilize synthetic materials that slow the progression of disease, but do not provide any contractile function and do not have the ability to grow with the patient. Recently, porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) has been used to repair myocardial tissue. The remodeled UBM contributed to regional function in both canine and porcine models, but did not fully restore myocardial tissue. Cardiac extracellular matrix (C-ECM) may promote faster reconstruction of functional tissue by providing a scaffold with a composition and architecture similar to the tissue that it is intended to replace. The proposed study will determine the morphologic and functional differences in cardiac remodeling after repair with C-ECM, UBM, and Dacron patches. Furthermore, the study will include analysis of the recruitment and fate of bone marrow derived progenitor cells at the site of remodeling.

An experienced interdisciplinary team consisting of biomechanical engineers, tissue engineers, physicians, and pathologists has been assembled to conduct these studies. A timeline for completion of these studies and quantitative criteria for success are provided. Read More

PI Kacey Marra Title 3D Culture of Adipose Tissue for Screening Obesity-related Drugs Co-Investigators Joerg Gerlach, J. Peter Rubin, Donna Stolz Description We have developed a novel, 3D bioreactor technology that permits the long-term culture of adipocytes, which is not possible using traditional 2D cell culture methods. In this study, we will utilize our technology to rapidly and effectively screen the effects of drugs on human adipose tissue function. We will examine the function of adipocytes in both obese and non-obese patients. One of the parameters we will study is cytokine/adipokine expression. With the bioreactor technology, we are able to rapidly and easily analyze daily expression of cytokines in the media. New drugs may target cytokine expression of adipocytes. It has been shown that involved cytokine behavior in obesity includes the increased expression of, but not limited to: MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1, which can recruit macrophages to adipose tissue), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α, a pro-inflammatory mediator secreted by macrophages), and IL-8 (interleukin-8, a pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted by macrophages). Also of interest is the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10 (interleukin-10). While these mediators have been examined using human and murine adipose tissue in 2D in vitro culture, improved experimental systems are necessary to allow the development of high throughput assays for drug discovery. Therefore, the specific aims of this proposal are to: 1) Isolate and characterize human adipose-derived stem cells from both male and female patients, age 40-60 years, (non-obese, vs. obese patients); 2) Develop a novel, multi-compartment, hollow fiber 3D perfusion bioreactor technology for ASC culture in 3D bioreactor; 3) Utilize the 3D perfusion bioreactor system as a tool to study the effects of drug therapies on adipose function. In summary, cell-cell contact in a 3D culture system mimicking natural adipose tissue represents an improvement over current petri-dish technologies aimed at developing high throughput assays for drug discovery.

Source The National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Term 09/01/2010 – 08/31/2013 Read More

PI Stephen Badylak

Title Biologic Scaffold Development

Description This collaborative research and development effort involves the characterization of various forms of extracellular matrix, especially porcine dermal derived extracellular matrix, for development and use as a biologic scaffold for pelvic floor reconstruction and general surgical use. The effort characterizes and identifies novel biomaterials for general surgical applications; particularly pelvic floor reconstruction and hernia repair. We will apply principles of regenerative medicine to principles of general surgery. Read More

PI Eric Lagasse

Title Cancer Stem Cells from HBV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Co-Investigators Stephen Strom, David Geller Read More

PI Alan J. Russell, Stephen F. Badylak, J. Peter Rubin, Bernard J. Costello, Prashant N. Kumta, Charles Sfeir, Paul Kemp

Title Limb Salvage and Regenerative Medicine Initiative

Co-Investigators Thomas Gilbert

Description This program will advance technologies that return wounded personnel to active duty, restore their limb, muscular, and skin form or function, and assist them in reclaiming independence, dignity, and self-confidence in the tasks of daily living. The program will fund rapid research, development and validation of innovative technologies to improve the clinical outcome of burn and blast injured personnel. Technology refers to integrated systems based on combinations of hardware, software, pharmaceuticals, biologics, and surgical methods. This initiative will advance medical technologies from their existing levels of maturation, through FDA trials and approval, to significantly improve upon current standard treatments for use by the Department of Defense, Veteran’s Administration, public health, and commercial health systems. Read More

PI Marina Kameneva

Title Multi-scale model of thrombosis in artificial circulation

Co-Investigators William Wagner, James Antaki Read More

PI Stephen Badylak and Michael Sacks

Title Mechanobiology and Regenerative Medicine

Co-Investigators Thomas Gilbert

Description Regenerative medicine approaches for the reconstitution of missing or injured tissues and organs involves the use of scaffolds, cells, and bioactive molecules. The use of biologic scaffolds seeded with cells is a common approach and several applications have been successfully translated to clinical medicine including lower urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, musculotendinous, and dermal skin regeneration. The principles that guide tissue remodeling and regeneration are only partially understood but the influence of biomechanical loading upon the remodeling process is accepted as an important variable. However, there is an almost complete absence of systematic, quantitative studies to determine the effect of this controllable factor upon tissue remodeling, especially tissues with a smooth muscle wall component. Read More

PI Harvey Borovetz

Title Pumps for Kids, Infants and Neonates (PumpKIN) Preclinical

Program: The PediaFlow™ Pediatric VAD Read More

PI William J. Federspiel

Title Anaerobically stored red blood cells with extended shelf-life

Description As part of the overall project, the University of Pittsburgh, McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine under the leadership of Dr. William Federspiel, will develop the conceptual design for the Oxygen Depletion Device (ODD) for NHSi’s Hemanext Anaerobic Storage Platform (HASP) red blood storage system. Read More