# Bioengineering Approach for Advancing Reparative Medicine Stem Cell Technologies

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2022 · $233,530

## Abstract

Project Summary
The goal of this proposal is to develop a model technology that enables pre-clinical investigation of adipose
derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in a real perfused microvascular network environment over the time
course of a few days. Such a model does not exist. SVF transplantation is a promising new therapy for
applications spanning from cardiac ischemia to tissue repair based on the idea that SVF can form new vessels.
Big knowledge gaps remain relating to the time course of the de novo vessel growth (i.e. neovascularization),
the integration of SVF derived vessels with nearby microvascular networks, and the cell makeup of the new
vessels. Understanding where and how SVF cells contribute to microvascular growth will help guide their
therapeutic use. The PI's laboratory has developed and validated the physiological relevance of a novel rat
tissue culture model that enables real-time ex vivo observation of cell dynamics in intact adult microvascular
networks. This biomimetic “view” has led to discoveries related to endothelial cell dynamics and
lymphatic/blood vessel plasticity. The PI's laboratory has also developed a bioreactor for introducing perfusion
in the cultured microvascular networks and is now uniquely positioned to combine these approaches with
murine tissue to develop a totally new technology for evaluating SVF fate and function (Figure 1). SVF
therapies have not yet reached their potential. Our novel high-content tool will enable multi-cell/system
readouts for angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vessel permeability that will define the scope of SVF
impact. In line with the purpose of the NHLBI notice of special interest, the aims are development and
discovery driven with the goal of generating new hypotheses.
 Aim 1: Model Development for Discovery of SVF Fate and Function – To combine bioreactor design with
 tissue culture to establish a perfused microvascular network model for evaluating SVF
neovascularization.
 Aim 2: Impact for Hypothesis Generation Projects – To determine the impact of neuron-glial antigen 2
 (NG2) inhibition on SVF neovascularization.
The proposed research will offer a new “view” for the discovery of SVF dynamics and effects in a
physiologically relevant microvascular milieu with readouts not possible with other models. The long-term
objective of this work is to understand and evaluate potential SVF therapies. This proposal will demonstrate the
value of a biomimetic platform for basic science studies focused on identifying SVF dynamics and elucidating
how environmental, cellular, and specific molecular dynamics might guide SVF therapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10451968
- **Project number:** 1R21HL159501-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** WALTER L MURFEE
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $233,530
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10451968

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10451968, Bioengineering Approach for Advancing Reparative Medicine Stem Cell Technologies (1R21HL159501-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10451968. Licensed CC0.

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