Description du projet
Transformer l’avenir de la réparation des tissus
Alors que la population mondiale vieillit, le besoin de solutions efficaces pour la réparation des tissus se fait de plus en plus pressant. La médecine régénérative s’est montrée prometteuse dans la réparation des tissus endommagés ; des études à long terme ont toutefois révélé la présence de problèmes de dégénérescence et d’intégration insuffisante en ce qui concerne les tissus environnants. Ces problèmes sont dus à des interactions cellule-matériau insuffisantes, ainsi qu’à la perte de puissance des cellules lorsqu’elles sont cultivées sur des substrats bidimensionnels. Les cellules souches offrent une alternative prometteuse, mais un meilleur contrôle des interactions cellule-matériau est nécessaire pour maintenir à long terme les constructions issues de l’ingénierie tissulaire. Financé par le Conseil européen de la recherche, le projet CELL HYBRIDGE vise à relever ces défis en concevant des constructions qui contrôlent activement la quiescence, la prolifération et la différenciation des cellules souches en une conception biomimétique inspirée de la niche des cellules souches mésenchymateuses.
Objectif
Aging worldwide population demands new solutions to permanently restore damaged tissues, thus reducing healthcare costs. Regenerative medicine offers alternative therapies for tissue repair. Although first clinical trials revealed excellent initial response after implantation of these engineered tissues, long-term follow-ups demonstrated that degeneration and lack of integration with the surrounding tissues occur. Causes are related to insufficient cell-material interactions and loss of cell potency when cultured in two-dimensional substrates, among others.
Stem cells are a promising alternative due to their differentiation potential into multiple lineages. Yet, better control over cell-material interactions is necessary to maintain tissue engineered constructs in time. It is crucial to control stem cell quiescence, proliferation and differentiation in three-dimensional scaffolds while maintaining cells viable in situ. Stem cell activity is controlled by a complex cascade of signals called “niche”, where the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells play a major role. Designing scaffolds inspired by this cellular niche and its ECM may lead to engineered tissues with instructive properties characterized by enhanced homeostasis, stability and integration with the surrounding milieu.
This research proposal aims at engineering constructs where scaffolds work as stem cell delivery systems actively controlling cell quiescence, proliferation, and differentiation. This challenge will be approached through a biomimetic design inspired by the mesenchymal stem cell niche. Three different scaffolds will be combined to achieve this purpose: (i) a scaffold designed to maintain cell quiescence; (ii) a scaffold designed to promote cell proliferation; and (iii) a scaffold designed to control cell differentiation. To prove the design criteria the evaluation of stem cell quiescence, proliferation, and differentiation will be assessed for musculoskeletal regenerative therapies.
Champ scientifique
Programme(s)
Thème(s)
Régime de financement
ERC-STG - Starting GrantInstitution d’accueil
6200 MD Maastricht
Pays-Bas