# Progenitor cell based therapy to mitigate radiation induced gastro intestinal syndrome

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $611,103

## Abstract

Project Summary:
Currently, there is a need for strategies that mitigate acute radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (RIGS).
The risk of large populations encountering radiation exposure is real and growing. Although a few drugs are
available which can protect radiation injury if applied prior to radiation exposure, to date there are no agents
available which can be applied 24 hr post-exposure to mitigate the acute radiation syndrome. The high
radiosensitivity of the intestinal epithelium increases susceptibility to RIGS; and with mortality within 10-15 days
there is limited time for therapeutic intervention. We have developed a human peripheral blood mono nuclear
cell derived macrophage committed progenitor (MCP) cell therapy which can mitigate RIGS and improve survival
when applied 24 hr after an otherwise lethal dose of radiation exposure. These progenitor cells are modulated
ex-vivo to increase expression of WNT ligand, a major paracrine signal for intestinal epithelial regeneration. In
this project we will fully characterize this novel cell therapy with a determination of an optimum dose and schedule
for mitigation of RIGS. We will examine the general applicability of this strategy in young and radiosensitive
animals. Finally we will evaluate the involvement of MCP derived WNT signaling in repair and regeneration of
intestinal stem cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10116168
- **Project number:** 5U01AI138323-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Subhrajit Saha
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $611,103
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-07 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10116168

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10116168, Progenitor cell based therapy to mitigate radiation induced gastro intestinal syndrome (5U01AI138323-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10116168. Licensed CC0.

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