The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) received a $481,438 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (CFDA 93.286: Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health) to develop a novel therapeutic delivery system called "Cargocytes." The Cargocytes are derived from mesenchymal stem cells that have been genetically engineered with chemoattractant receptors and adhesion molecules to target inflamed tissues. This "GPS-like guidance system" enables the Cargocytes to precisely deliver therapeutic payloads, such as mRNA encoding the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, to diseased sites. The goals of this project are to optimize the in vitro production, cryopreservation, and biobanking of Cargocytes, assess their immunogenicity and organ toxicity, and evaluate their ability to effectively and safely treat inflammatory pancreatitis in a preclinical mouse model. If successful, this research could establish Cargocytes as a transformative therapeutic delivery platform for addressing unmet needs in targeted drug delivery.
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