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Activation of endogenous progenitors via a nanoparticle-conjugated fibrous system to enhance meniscus repair

Award Number: R01AR079875
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/20/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2027

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Activation of endogenous progenitors via a nanoparticle-conjugated fibrous system to enhance meniscus repair - Project Summary Meniscus Meniscus initiation. therapy basic novel Previous located maintain Using a Gli1-CreER driven Hh reporter mouse line, we recently found that Gli1-labeled cells contribute to the development of the meniscus horns from 2 weeks of age. In adult and aged mice, Gli1+ cells were localized to the superficial layer of anterior and posterior meniscal horns, and gradually decreased in number during aging. In vivo, these cells co-expressed known markers of mesenchymal progenitors as well as the lubricant Prg4. In culture, meniscal Gli1+ cells possessed high progenitor activities, such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation, under the control of Hh signal. Using an in vivo mouse meniscus injury model, we showed a rapid expansion of Gli1-lineage cells at the injury site of anterior horn. Ablation of these Gli1+ cells prior to injury slowed the meniscus repair process. Strikingly, intra-articular injection of the Hh activator, Purmorphamine (Pur), following injury accelerated meniscus repair and attenuated OA progression. Based on these data, we hypothesize that the Hh/Gli1 pathway can be therapeutically targeted to treat meniscus injury tears are the most common injury to the knee, affecting both young and old populations. healing is limited, however, and loss of function leads o cartilage loss and osteoarthritis OA) Current clinical treatment is palliative, and does not restore function, and no disease modifying drug is available for the t reatment of meniscus injury. Thus, there is a critical need to better understand the biologic mechanisms and pathways regulating meniscus homeostasis and repair in order to develop therapeutics. Mesenchymal progenitors play a critical role in tissue maintenance and regeneration. studies have demonstrated the existence of mesenchymal progenitors in the meniscus, with most within the superficial layer. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is one of a few fundamental pathways that adult stem and progenitor cells in various organs and can activate these cells post injury. t ( and prevent OA development via the mobilization of endogenous meniscus progenitors. work design Aims evaluate scaffold-mediated The objectives of this are to understand the role of this novel signaling pathway in meniscus homeostasis and repair and to a novel drug delivery system to enhance meniscus repair by locally targeting t his pathway. Our specific are to: 1) determine the function of Hh signaling in meniscus development and repair; 2) synthesize and a nanoparticle (NP)-conjugated fibrous delivery system for meniscus repair; 3) Assess Pur-NP repair in a large animal model of meniscus injury.Small (mouse) and large (minipig) animal models, and complementary experimental tools will be utilized to develop and translate this new therapy. multidisciplinary successful, this work will healing Our team has worked together to generate the exciting preliminary data supporting this proposal. provide a novel therapeutic scaffold that mobilizes meniscus progenitors to improve of tears that are otherwise considered irreparable. If


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $541,757 )
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT STREET	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	4	12/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$541,757
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT STREET	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	001	4	1/16/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $541,757

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $526,632 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	3	1/3/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$526,632
														Subtotal = $526,632

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $466,547 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	001	2	6/18/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$33,668
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	2	1/17/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$432,879
														Subtotal = $466,547

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $474,188 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE	3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	1	2/17/2023	NEW	$474,188
														Subtotal = $474,188

Grand Total All Awards = $2,009,124

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Activation of endogenous progenitors via a nanoparticle-conjugated fibrous system to enhance meniscus repair

Award Number: R01AR079875

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/20/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2027

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