Dr. Sanjiv Dhingra, Principal Investigator at the Cardiac Regeneration and Tissue Engineering Program, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, has recently received significant funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This includes $1.067 million over five years to tackle a major challenge in stem cell therapy for heart repair. His application was ranked 2nd within the committee.
“With heart disease remaining the leading cause of death worldwide, recent advancements in stem cell therapies offer new hope. However, there are still obstacles to overcome before these therapies can be widely used in patients,” said Dhingra, who is also Professor Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba.
Since 2013, Dhingra’s lab has been focused on finding ways to repair heart tissue damaged by heart attacks or other conditions using stem cells and specialized biomaterials. His current research centers on understanding how donor stem cells behave once transplanted into damaged heart tissue, which is crucial for making these treatments work in patients.
The project, titled “Role of Immunoproteasome in the Loss of Immunoprivilege of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Ischemic Heart,” aims to uncover why Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are typically immune-resistant, become vulnerable to immune attack in low-oxygen (ischemic) conditions. MSCs, derived from the bone marrow of young, healthy donors, have shown promise in repairing damaged hearts. These cells help suppress the immune response, which is vital for recovery after a heart attack. However, many patients’ immune systems reject these donor cells, reducing their effectiveness.
Dr. Dhingra’s research focuses on how hypoxia (lack of oxygen) affects MSC behavior, causing them to switch from immune-resistant to immune-reactive. The studies in this project will also focus on understanding how stem cells from male and female donors behave once transplanted into damaged heart tissue. By investigating the underlying mechanisms, the lab aims to develop strategies that improve the survival of transplanted stem cells, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and advancing heart repair treatments.
This innovative research has the potential to revolutionize stem cell therapy for heart disease, offering hope for improved recovery and a better quality of life for those affected.