Compartment Syndrome Projects

Compartment syndrome results in muscle, nerve and vessel damage due to increased pressure within a confined space in the body. Because it affects so many tissues, scientists with the Wake Forest-Pittsburgh Consortium of AFIRM are pursuing a variety of potential treatments.

Cell Therapies to Repair Muscle Damage

Scientists aim to study different populations of stem cells derived from muscle with the goal of developing a cell therapy to repair damaged muscle tissue. They are currently developing a model to test the effectiveness of treatment.

Project Leaders:
John Huard, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Shay Soker, Ph.D., Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Adult Stem Cells to Treat Extremities

This project aims to use stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow to accelerate healing and improve function to treat injuries in the arms and legs that are complicated by compartment syndrome. Testing will determine the optimal number and timing of treatments.

Project Leader:
Kenton Gregory, Oregon Laser Medical Center

Biodegradable Scaffolds to Promote Healing

The current treatment for compartment syndrome leaves an open wound that is susceptible to infection and complications. This project aims to develop a new material to patch these wounds and promote healing, with the initial phase focusing on abdominal wounds.

Project Leader:
illiam R. Wagner, University of Pittsburgh

Recruiting Cells for Muscle Regeneration

Researchers have demonstrated that biomaterials can be used to mobilize and recruit host stem/progenitor cells to target locations and that the cells can be used for tissue regeneration within the body. This project aims to regenerate muscle tissue using this technology.

Project Leader:
San Jin Lee. Ph.D., Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine