Descripción del proyecto
Un análisis más profundo de la regeneración del tejido corneal
La ceguera corneal impone una carga económica y social considerable a millones de personas de todo el mundo. Aunque los trasplantes de córnea ofrecen esperanzas de recuperar la visión, la escasez de córneas de donantes adecuados obliga a explorar tratamientos alternativos. Las estrategias de ingeniería para el tejido corneal utilizadas hasta la fecha exigen disponer de células de donantes y cultivos «in vitro» prolongados, lo que conlleva diversas limitaciones. El equipo del proyecto EyeRegen, financiado con fondos europeos, pretende explorar un método innovador de regeneración del tejido corneal. Gracias al diseño de estructuras de sostén artificiales para la regeneración corneal, en EyeRegen se eliminará la necesidad de disponer de células donadas y cultivos «in vitro» prolongados. Las estructuras de sostén recogerán las células propias del paciente para regenerar la córnea tras el implante. Estas estructuras de biomateriales incorporarán señales químicas y físicas personalizadas para atraer células y estimular la formación de tejido, lo que supone un avance revolucionario en el ámbito de la regeneración corneal.
Objetivo
Corneal blindness resulting from disease, physical injury or chemical burns affects millions worldwide and has a considerable economic and social impact on the lives of people across Europe. In many cases corneal transplants can restore vision however the shortage of donor corneas suitable for transplantation has necessitated the development of alternative treatments. The aim of this project is to develop a new approach to corneal tissue regeneration. Previous approaches at engineering corneal tissue have required access to donor cells and lengthy culture periods in an attempt to grow tissue in vitro prior to implantation with only limited success and at great expense. Our approach will differ fundamentally from these in that we will design artificial corneal scaffolds that do not require donated cells or in vitro culture but instead will recruit the patient’s own cells to regenerate the cornea post-implantation. These biomaterial scaffolds will incorporate specific chemical and physical cues with the deliberate aim of attracting cells and inducing tissue formation. Studies will be undertaken to examine how different chemical, biochemical, physical and mechanical cues can be used to control the behaviour of corneal epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells. Once the optimal combination of these cues has been determined, this information will be incorporated into the design of the scaffold. Recent advances in manufacturing and material processing technology will enable us to develop scaffolds with organized nanometric architectures and that incorporate controlled growth factor release mechanisms. Techniques such as 3D bio-printing and nanofiber electrospinning will be used to fabricate scaffolds. The ability of the scaffold to attract cells and promote matrix remodelling will be examined by developing an in vitro bioreactor system capable of mimicking the ocular environment and by performing in vivo tests using a live animal model.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-STG - Starting GrantInstitución de acogida
D02 CX56 DUBLIN 2
Irlanda