Molecular imaging of the myocardium to facilitate cardiac stem cell therapy

Project Information

STEM CELL IMAGING

Grant agreement ID: 276889

Closed project

Start date 1 July 2011

End date 30 June 2015

Funded under

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost € 100 000,00

EU contribution € 100 000,00

Coordinated by

MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER
Germany

Objective

In clinical trials, functional benefits of cell therapy for repair of the damaged heart have been moderate and variable. Frequently, only a small fraction of transplanted cells engrafts in injured myocardium. This limits therapeutic efficacy and may explain variability of results. There is a need for improved understanding of therapeutic mechanisms and for improved selection of candidates. Specific noninvasive imaging techniques, which go beyond assessment of structure and function of the heart, are promising new means for improving cell therapy.
In this proposal, we aim at developing image-based strategies to facilitate stem cell engraftment. The myocardial microenvironment is considered to be a critical contributor to engraftment. It constitutes a suitable target for molecular imaging. Our central hypothesis is that molecular-targeted radionuclide imaging prior to cell delivery can characterize an optimal biologic environment which is supportive of cell engraftment after delivery, and thus predictive of successful myocardial regeneration. This hypothesis will be tested in 3 specific aims, using an array of noninvasive imaging techniques to characterize myocardial biology, to track stem cells and to determine functional and structural effects of cell delivery.
Aim 1 will define the role of tissue perfusion and viability for successful engraftment of bone-marrow derived stem cells. Aim 2 will investigate the role of neurohumoral activation after ischemic damage for successful cardiac stem cell engraftment. And in aim 3, knowledge derived in a rat model in aims 1 and 2 will be translated to a large animal model and clinical camera systems.
These studies will provide unique new insights into myocardial regeneration. They will also deliver imaging techniques for assistance in therapeutic decision making. The ultimate goal of the project is to optimize cell therapeutic benefit based on imaging of individual disease biology.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › electronic engineering › sensors › optical sensors
• medical and health sciences › medical biotechnology › cells technologies › stem cells

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG - Marie Curie Action: "Reintegration Grants"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IRG - International Re-integration Grants (IRG)

Coordinator

MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER

Administrative Contact

Frank Dittrich (Mr.)

• Address: Carl-neuberg-strasse 1 ; 30625 Hannover ; Germany
• Region: Niedersachsen › Hannover › Region Hannover
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• EU contribution: No data