Biomateriali injectables that encapsulate stamina cells and stimulate yourself with ultrasound allow the regeneration of articular cartilage. A study of Sant’Anna High Schoolin collaboration with theIRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute and other national and international partners, was published on prestigious ACS Nano magazine. The study is part of the search to find a effective treatment for osteoarthritis, a pathology that affects millions of people around the world and which involves a progressive degeneration of cartilage and surrounding tissues, producing reduced mobility, chronic pain and a significant decrease in the quality of life. At the moment there are no effective treatments for this pathology, with the only “weapon” represented by the implantation of a hip or knee prosthesis, an invasive operation and not without complications.
The activity was developed within the ADMAIORA project (ADvanced nanocomposite MAterIals fOr in situ treatment and ultRAsound-mediated management of osteoarthritis), funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant agreement no. 814413.
Innovative biomaterial that contains ultrasound-responsive nanomaterials
In this research, an innovative biomaterial was developed capable of encapsulating stem cells deriving from adipose tissue, taken from patients minimally invasive way through liposuction and subsequent tissue processing. This biomaterial is easily injectable into the joint and contains proteins inside ultrasound responsive nanomaterials. When stimulated externally by ultrasound (a safe and non-invasive technology), using well-tuned parameters, these nanomaterials develop electrical charges that promote the differentiation of stem cells into mature cartilage tissue. Furthermore, this same stimulus significantly lowers inflammatory levels, an important aspect, as osteoarthritis is a pathology in which chronic inflammation plays a primary role.
“The results obtained in this study demonstrate the efficacy of this therapeutic paradigm in vitro, using human cells, and the safety of this approach at a preclinical level” he declares Leonardo Ricotti, head of the ‘Regenerative Technologies Lab’ of the BioRobotics Institute of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. “Preclinical efficacy tests are currently underway, which will end in the next few months, after which we will aim for patient translation. This step will require additional future funding, which is not currently available, but which we are already seeking”. “There are many people affected by this pathology who have contacted us and who hope for the results of this research to improve their quality of life” continues Ricotti. “This is a further incentive for us to do our best, continuing with research with the aim of providing them with a new possible therapy in the coming years.”.
The doctor Gina Lisignoliresearcher at the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute adds: “The encouraging results achieved so far with these preclinical studies were only possible thanks to a continuous collaboration between the biological and clinical skills of the Rizzoli professionals, in the field of cartilaginous tissue regeneration, combined with the more technological engineering skills of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. The union of intentions, skills and the continuous exchange of information was the key that allowed us to face the difficulties during the project, allowing us to find adequate solutions every time. Only thanks to the continuous sharing of data was it possible to reach this first important goal and now we hope to be able to continue this path to offer a new possibility of treatment to patients”.
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