# Hydrogels for hMSC delivery & engraftment

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $333,860

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) represent a promising cell source for diverse regenerative medicine applications.
Isolated MSC retain their self-renewal capacity, have the potential to differentiate into multiple lineages, are
hypoimmunogenic, and can home to injured tissues. In the context of musculoskeletal applications, transplanted
MSC enhance bone, cartilage, and intervertebral disc repair in pre-clinical models and initial clinical trials. MSC
secrete a myriad of cytokines, growth factors and metabolites that modulate immune responses and promote
regenerative activities. However, the extremely low survival and engraftment of transplanted MSC significantly
limit these cell-based therapies. A major hurdle to MSC survival, engraftment, and function is the lack of
appropriate biomaterial delivery vehicles. During the current funding period, we engineered integrin-specific
synthetic hydrogels that modulate MSC survival, engraftment, immunomodulatory secretome, and reparative
activities in non-healing bone defects. Because of the use of human cells, these studies were limited to
immunodeficient mice. The objective of this renewal application is to engineer synthetic hydrogels that promote
MSC survival, immunomodulatory properties, and bone repair in more relevant immunocompetent models. Our
central hypothesis is that integrin-specific hydrogels will support MSC survival and immunomodulatory properties
to direct host immune cell-dependent actions to enhance bone repair. The scientific premise for this project is
based on our compelling results with engineered integrin-specific materials that enhance transplanted MSC
survival, functions, and bone repair and strategies to harness pro-healing monocyte populations. The rationale
for this research is that it will establish bioactive cell delivery vehicles that enhance MSC survival and
immunomodulatory and reparative functions. Aim 1: Engineer synthetic hydrogels that promote MSC
immunomodulatory secretome and activities. Aim 2: Evaluate the ability of engineered hydrogels to support MSC
survival and immunomodulatory properties to direct host immune cell-dependent actions for enhanced bone
repair. The proposed research is highly innovative because it focuses on engineering synthetic hydrogels to
control MSC survival, immunomodulatory properties, and bone repair. The use of humanized mice is also novel
and will provide critical insights on hMSC-based therapies. This research is expected to yield the following
significant outcomes. First, we will engineer synthetic hydrogels that promote MSC survival and
immunomodulatory secretory and reparative activities. Second, we will establish the extent to which MSC direct
host immune cells in bone repair. Finally, this research will provide direct comparisons for MSC survival and
function across models of increased immune complexity. Because of the transformative potential of MSC, this
research will have broad significance and impact to many regenerat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9986641
- **Project number:** 5R01AR062368-08
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Andres J Garcia
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $333,860
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9986641

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9986641, Hydrogels for hMSC delivery & engraftment (5R01AR062368-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9986641. Licensed CC0.

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