Drs. Martinez and Krams Receive Department of Defense Grant to Advance Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

Drs. Olivia Martinez and Sheri Krams have been awarded a Department of Defense (DoD) grant to lead a research project aimed at addressing challenges in vascularized composite tissue allografts (VCA), which are complex transplants involving multiple types of tissues such as skin, muscles, nerves, and bones, typically used for reconstructive surgeries like facial or limb transplants. The research seeks to uncover how the immune system identifies and attacks the different tissue components of VCA. These grafts are particularly prone to rapid and vigorous rejection compared to traditional solid organ transplants. 

“The funding will allow us to utilize our orthotopic mouse limb transplant model in combination with cutting-edge, spatial proteomics, a method to study how proteins interact and function in different parts of the graft to reveal the tissue biology of VCA graft rejection and the various immune cells interacting with the skin, muscle, nerve, and bone components of the graft. We will target specific cells and molecules of the immune response to promote graft survival and limb function,” Dr. Martinez elaborated. The research aims to make these complex transplants safer and more successful for patients with severe injuries. 

The project, titled "Implementing a Spatial and Single-Cell Multiplexed Platform for Development of Targeted Therapies for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation," received $1.5 million in funding and will span from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027. Drs. Olivia Martinez and Sheri Krams serve as the multi-principal investigators (PIs) of this project. The collaborative team also includes co-investigator Dr. Sean Bendall from the Department of Pathology.

This pivotal research underscores Stanford’s commitment to advancing innovative solutions in transplantation medicine. By uncovering immune system mechanisms and developing targeted therapies, the project holds promise for improving the lives of patients undergoing facial or limb transplants, offering them renewed functionality and quality of life.