The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded a $172,700 Project Grant (CFDA 93.846 - Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research) to the University of California Irvine (UC Irvine) to develop a novel therapeutic approach for improving angiogenesis during wound healing. The project aims to leverage the natural interactions of immune cells by delivering apoptotic neutrophils within a degradable hydrogel scaffold to stimulate macrophages and promote their angiogenic signaling and tissue repair without causing inflammation. Through in vitro studies and a full-thickness skin wound model, the research will investigate the effects of the hydrogel-neutrophil delivery on macrophage uptake, growth factor secretion, angiogenesis, and wound healing. The findings from this 2-year project are expected to establish a new method for enhancing macrophage-driven angiogenesis, providing a platform for further investigation and developing a therapeutic intervention to improve wound healing.
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