Fibrosis and DVT Research
Basic science grant updates included proteomic and transcriptomic profiling of venous
leg ulcers, finding RNA and protein expression correlate poorly and multi-omics
approaches are needed to identify healing pathways. Two projects targeting post-thrombotic
vein wall fibrosis, an anti-CCR2 nanotherapy and perivascular dexamethasone, both reduced
collagen deposition and increased anti-inflammatory macrophages in mouse models without
worsening thrombus resolution.
AI Risk Prediction and Imaging
A Jobst-funded project built neural network models from expanded predictor sets that
improved VTE and bleeding risk prediction over existing scores in over a million patients,
though performance still falls short of clinical readiness. A
separate grant used 4D flow MRI to quantify pelvic venous flow changes after fluid intake
and around venous compression, including in Nutcracker anatomy.
Regenerative Medicine and Award-Winning Research
A translational grant reported stem cell-derived lymphatic endothelial cells that
outperformed primary cells in vessel-forming assays, moving toward rat lymphedema model
testing. The top abstract award recognized a study mapping distinct pelvic
reflux patterns that predict pelvic-origin varicose veins missed by saphenous-only
mapping.
