Discoveries in UTMB’s Translational Intensive Care Unit

Dr. Perenlei Enkhbaatar (Photo Credit: Department of Defense - Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs)

The translational intensive care unit at UTMB, or TICU, has been run by Dr. Perenlei Enkhbaatar since 2012. Backed by funding from the NIH and the U.S. Department of Defense, it represents a coveted asset within which cutting-edge treatment strategies and techniques are developed for critically ill patients. The unit focuses on accelerating the application of scientific discoveries to real-world critical care scenarios, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes; hence its function as “translational”.

The TICU is a round-the-clock facility, running 24/7 and divided into three daily shifts. Within its walls the pathophysiology of septic shock, trauma, and other illnesses is studied, modeled by large animals – namely sheep and pigs, for their similarity to humans. “These animals get the same standard of care that humans get,” Dr. Enkhbaatar explains; “they are continuously monitored and can receive mechanical ventilator support and ECMO.” Though the organs of such animals differ in size, they share common physiologic adaptations with humans and thus serve as ideal models. Examples of treatments studied at the TICU include extracorporeal oxygenation, regenerative medicine (think stem cell therapy), surgical methods and devices and pharmaceuticals. In this strictly controlled setting, the efficacy and safety profile of these interventions can be studied closely before implementation with humans.

Dr. Enkhbaatar has led a number of studies examining stem cell therapy as treatment for ARDS and sepsis. A study published in 2023 found moderate improvement in pulmonary function with administration of nebulized adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) among models with smoke inhalation injury.¹ His research has also identified bone marrow-derived MSCs as a potential therapy for sepsis.² In 2017, Dr. Enkhbaatar published the results from a pilot study concerning severe pediatric burns; they had found nebulized epinephrine to be a safe and potentially superior treatment to the standard of care for smoke inhalation lung injury.³ These are just three of many developments that define the mission and function of the TICU.

“Our lab is open to anyone in the field who wants to collaborate,” Dr. Enkhbaatar shares. His colleagues include researchers from institutions both within the United States and abroad – including industry stakeholders. As the TICU is one of the most advanced facilities to work with large animal models in the country, its studies attract interest globally. Now more than a decade into his appointment at UTMB, Dr. Enkhbaatar is encouraged about their work with the TICU so far and excited about the breakthroughs to come. Visit Research Experts to view Dr. Enkhbaatar’s other publications.

Sources

1. Niimi, Y., Baljinnyam, T., Fukuda, S., Andersen, C. R., Salsbury, J. R., Lee, J. O., Prough, D. S., & Enkhbaatar, P. (2023). Effects of nebulized adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on acute lung injury following smoke inhalation in sheep. International Immunopharmacology, 123, 110638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110638
2. Homma, K., Bazhanov, N., Hashimoto, K., Shimizu, M., Heathman, T., Hao, Q., Nawgiri, R., Muthukumarana, V., Lee, J. W., Prough, D. S., & Enkhbaatar, P. (2023). Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for treatment of sepsis. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 1136964. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1136964
3. Foncerrada, G., Lima, F., Clayton, R. P., Mlcak, R. P., Enkhbaatar, P., Herndon, D. N., & Suman, O. E. (2017). Safety of Nebulized Epinephrine in Smoke Inhalation Injury. Journal of Burn Care & Research: Official Publication of the American Burn Association, 38(6), 396–402. https://doi.org/10.1097/BCR.0000000000000575