# Investigation of Human Gut-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cellular Therapy

> **NIH NIH R15** · MERCER UNIVERSITY MACON · 2024 · $429,545

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
Cell therapy is an innovative and non-toxic regenerative approach for the treatment of inflammatory and
degenerative disorders. Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells (MSCs) are widely being tested as cellular and
regenerative therapy and in some countries, it is already approved as standard clinical care for the management
of inflammatory bowel disease associated complications. Specifically, Perianal fistula (PF) is a serious
complication of Crohn’s Disease (CD) which substantially affects the quality of life of those patients. Treatment
options are limited and are not highly effective. MSCs derived from adipose tissue has been approved in Europe
for the treatment of complex PF in patients with CD. Although this stem cell therapy is showing efficacy, side
effects such as anal abscess, proctalgia, and variations in treatment responses are common which could be due
to the allogeneic nature of this cell therapy. The current unmet is the development of an autologous cell therapy
strategy with enhanced potency and safety for the treatment of PF. We hypothesize that MSCs derived from the
rectum of patients with CD display robust immunosuppressive and regenerative properties that can be used as
an autologous cellular therapy. We also hypothesize that rectum derived MSCs’ potency can be further improved
with appropriate inflammatory cue mediated preactivation, and thus they can function amidst confounding
factors. In the present preclinical research phase, we aim to characterize the potency of rectum derived MSCs
from patients with CD. Mercer University School of Medicine’s mission is to educate students to become future
physicians and serve rural and underserved regions of Georgia. Involvement of students in this Research
Enhancement Award Program will bring exposure and help them to apply cellular therapy in rural health care.
The results of this study can inform a second-generation cell therapy approach not only for the management of
PF but also for bowel inflammation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10795230
- **Project number:** 1R15AI176177-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MERCER UNIVERSITY MACON
- **Principal Investigator:** RAGHAVAN CHINNADURAI
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $429,545
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-17 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10795230

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10795230, Investigation of Human Gut-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cellular Therapy (1R15AI176177-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10795230. Licensed CC0.

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