METABOLic immuno-engineered biomATErials

Informazioni relative al progetto

METABOLATE

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 101106209

DOI

10.3030/101106209

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 9 Marzo 2023

Data di avvio 21 Aprile 2023

Data di completamento 20 Luglio 2025

Finanziato da

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Costo totale

Nessun dato

Contributo UE

€ 242 476,20

Coordinato da

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND
Ireland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - METABOLATE (METABOLic immuno-engineered biomATErials)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-04-21 al 2025-07-20

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

Delayed or non-healing bone fractures remain a major clinical problem, especially in older patients, and place a growing financial burden on healthcare systems in Europe. Current strategies such as bone grafting or the use of growth factors have clear limitations, including poor availability, risks of complications, and limited long-term effectiveness. A key obstacle is the inflammatory environment at the defect site, which reduces the regenerative potential of biomaterials.
The METABOLATE project worked intensely on this challenge by developing a novel immuno-engineering approach. The project focused on human macrophages, immune cells that play a central role in inflammation and repair. By metabolically reprogramming macrophages towards a more regenerative state, researchers generated extracellular vesicles with hybrid properties that promote both angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These vesicles were then incorporated into scaffolds, creating immuno-engineered materials designed to modulate inflammation and stimulate bone regeneration. Through this strategy, METABOLATE provides a proof of concept for combining extracellular vesicle biology, immunometabolism, and biomaterials science to develop safer and more effective regenerative therapies for large bone defects.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

The project investigated how human macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles influence angiogenesis and osteogenesis, and whether targeting macrophage metabolism could reprogram them into a regenerative state.
The first investigations showed that extracellular vesicles obtained from human macrophages differentially regulate both angiogenesis and osteogenesis. By modulating macrophages between pro- and anti-inflammatory states, it was possible to generate extracellular vesicles with hybrid properties that combined functional features of both pro- and anti- inflammatory macrophages, enhancing their regenerative potential.
The second line of investigation examined their incorporation into collagen–nanohydroxyapatite scaffolds. Results demonstrated that distinct extracellular vesicle populations acted at different stages of osteogenesis; some promoted early osteogenic differentiation, while others influenced later mineralisation. This indicated that pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles play complementary roles in complete bone regeneration.
The third investigation focused on the cargo content of these vesicles. It was found that even vesicles released from the same donor-derived macrophages can carry different sets of small RNAs depending on their polarisation state. These differences in molecular content were linked to distinct regulatory effects on angiogenesis and osteogenesis. This provides important mechanistic insight into how extracellular vesicles exert their regenerative functions and lays the foundation for targeted therapeutic strategies for bone repair.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

METABOLATE generated several results that extend beyond current knowledge in regenerative medicine. It demonstrated that metabolic modulation of human macrophages can generate vesicle populations with hybrid regenerative properties, capable of influencing angiogenesis and osteogenesis in distinct ways. By immobilising these vesicles on collagen–nanohydroxyapatite scaffolds, the project created an immuno-engineered material with potential applications in bone regeneration. Small RNA sequencing further showed that metabolic reprogramming reshapes the vesicle cargo, offering mechanistic understanding of their regenerative role.
These findings contribute to the development of new regenerative strategies with potential long-term benefits for patients suffering from impaired bone healing or large bone defects. The interdisciplinary integration of immunology, extracellular vesicle biology, biomaterials, and bioinformatics creates a platform for future therapeutic development. The collaboration with TAmiRNA additionally enabled an industrial partner to expand its expertise to human macrophage-derived vesicles, strengthening academia–industry links and laying the foundation for future translational applications.