Description du projet
Un nouveau dispositif biomimétique permet des avancées dans le traitement de la sclérose en plaques
La sclérose en plaques (SEP) est une maladie neurodégénérative caractérisée par la démyélinisation et la perte axonale. À l’heure actuelle, il n’existe aucun traitement curatif pour cette maladie, qui est associée à une morbidité importante. Le projet PMSMatTrain, financé par l’UE, est en train de mettre au point un dispositif médical qui libère une combinaison de molécules anti‑inflammatoires et de médicaments remyélinisants et neuroprotecteurs. Le dispositif utilise un échafaudage biomimétique en hyaluronane et sera testé sur des modèles de maladies in vitro et in vivo, ce qui permettra de mieux comprendre les principaux mécanismes de la maladie. Une fois fabriqué et commercialisé, le dispositif PMSMatTrain offrira une thérapie modificatrice de la maladie et facile à appliquer pour la SEP.
Objectif
PMSMatTrain is focusing on gaining a comprehensive understanding of the progressive (late degenerative phase) of multiple sclerosis (PMS) from basics to translation, fully supported by 8 beneficiaries (6 research institutions, 2 SMEs). Recruited ESRs will receive compulsory discipline-specific, generic and complementary transferable skills training. PMSMatTrain’s Joint Research Education and Training programme (JRTP) will provide early stage researchers with high quality research and transferable skills training in intellectual property, leadership skills, innovation, regulatory affairs, entrepreneurship, gender policy, and medical device evaluation, which will ensure that they are immediately employable in industry. The consortium will develop a multi-modal hyaluronan-based medical device designed to release small molecular weight anti-inflammatory molecules (APRIL and sPIF) followed by remyelination and neuroprotective drugs (ibudilast and miconazole). PMSMatTrain will for the first time utilise these functionalised multi-modal biomimetic hyaluronan scaffolds as a tool to investigate cross-talk between signals arising due to chronic neuroinflammation and those leading to demyelination and axonal loss, while identifying molecular mechanisms that facilitate remyelination and neuroprotection in PMS. This approach could yield the first cortex-proximal and directed biomaterials-based disease-modifying therapy for PMS. These scaffolds will be tested in state of the art MS patient induced stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte cultures and organotypic cultures to investigate MS pathophysiology. In vivo responses will be characterised using field-leading MRI and mass spectrophotometry protocols. PMSMatTrain will also generate a clinically-relevant in silico model of drug elusion and dispersal within the CNS. Our industry partners will develop the end-device by providing standardised manufacturing protocols for scaled-up production and commercialisation of the cGMP product.
Champ scientifique
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)Coordinateur
H91 Galway
Irlande