Objective
Destruction of particular cartilage occurs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) having an incidence of 1 % and 12% in the population respectively. The resulting disabilities of RA and OA have a major impact on the European economy and health. The novel genetic therapies available have a serious limitation as only targets the inflammatory process, which returns when therapy ceases and does not cure-damaged cartilage. Our hypothesis is: Restoration of joint function could be achieved by long term therapy that is both anti-inflammatory and provides for cartilage differentiation factors that facilitate and induce tissue repair using genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). We will genetically engineer mouse and human MSC using transcription ally regulated lent viral vectors. These cells will attach to damaged cartilage and synthetic matrices, express chondrogenic differentiation or transcription factors and immunosuppressive compounds to enable long-term tissue repair in OA and RA. Engineered cells will be assessed in vitro and in vivo in models of RA and OA. This project will deliver new therapeutics in form of nucleic acids, proteins and engineered cells. These novel technologies would be exploited commercially.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnucleic acids
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinerheumatology
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cells
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
E1 4NS London
United Kingdom