Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models
NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
About This Grant
ABSTRACT Solid organ transplantation has transformed care for patients with end-stage organ failure, dramatically improving survival and quality of life. In 2024, over 48,000 transplants were performed in the United States. Despite advances in immunosuppressive regimens, allograft rejection remains a major barrier to long-term graft survival, with 25–50% of recipients experiencing rejection. While effective at reducing early rejection, current immunosuppressive therapies carry significant long-term toxicities and have not meaningfully extended graft survival. This has driven the search for safer alternatives to promote immune tolerance. Adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells (Tregs) offers a promising immunomodulatory strategy to promote graft tolerance while minimizing systemic toxicity. However, without tools to monitor Treg trafficking and functionality, it is challenging to assess treatment efficacy or optimize therapeutic strategies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is ideally suited for this purpose—it is widely available, radiation-free, and capable of high-resolution imaging of labeled cells. Conventional MRI-based cell tracking relies on exogenous contrast agents such as iron oxide or fluorine compounds, which require labor-intensive labeling protocols often involving non-FDA-approved transfection agents that may impair cell viability or function. These challenges limit clinical scalability and regulatory approval. We propose a fundamentally different approach: the magnetic microbeads used in the process of Treg purification from blood leukapheresis will directly label the target cells, producing proton (1H) MRI contrast. Our goal is to develop magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models. We propose the following aims: AIM 1 will capture longitudinal Treg activity in a murine transplant model. We will isolate and label mouse Tregs with CD25/CD4 beads, evaluate phenotype and cytokine expression, and infuse them into matched and mismatched skin and heart graft models to confirm preferential homing of injected Tregs in matched skin transplants via MRI followed by histopathology correlation. AIM 2 will evaluate immunomodulatory cell trafficking and imaging feasibility in a clinically relevant ex vivo human organ model. We will infuse microbead-labeled Tregs into discarded donor organs maintained on normothermic perfusion pumps. This platform will enable us to investigate critical questions about Treg and other immunomodulatory cell behavior post-infusion, including their distribution patterns, retention over time, and interaction with vascular and tissue compartments. This work will enable real-time monitoring of therapeutic cell fate, improve patient-specific immunosuppression strategies, and accelerate safe translation of Treg-based therapies for transplantation, autoimmunity, and beyond.
Grant Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models is a NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering grant providing up to $547K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2030-03-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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How to Apply
Up to $547K
2030-03-31
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Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models?
Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models is offered by NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models provide?
Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models provides up to $547K per award from NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models deadline?
Applications for Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models are due 2030-03-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models?
To apply for Magnetic resonance imaging methods to capture tolerogenic cell therapy fate in preclinical and ex vivo human transplant models, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.