Metabolites as immunomodulatory additives for biomaterials

Descripción del proyecto

Metabolitos inmunomoduladores en biomateriales

Los biomateriales son esenciales para corregir quirúrgicamente defectos óseos causados por enfermedades y fracturas traumáticas. Este tratamiento presenta ciertos riesgos, como una inflamación o una infección ósea, y la respuesta inmunitaria del hospedador a los implantes es el principal factor determinante del resultado del tratamiento a largo plazo. Los metabolitos bioactivos han emergido como uno de los enfoques más innovadores y potentes para modular la respuesta inmunitaria. La incorporación de metabolitos con propiedades inmunorreguladoras constituye una opción especialmente interesante para los biomateriales, pues garantiza un sistema de administración localizado y la modulación del microentorno. El objetivo del proyecto financiado con fondos europeos Met4Bone es desarrollar nuevos biomateriales con metabolitos incorporados como una estrategia eficaz para modular la respuesta inmunitaria local y, así, lograr que la rehabilitación ósea quirúrgica tenga éxito.

Objetivo

The biomaterials are crucial for the surgical remediation of bone defects caused by various diseases e.g. osteoporosis and traumatic fractures. However, there are several risks associated with this treatment; first, the surgical procedure itself carries a potential risk of inflammation and bone infection, second, the bone replacement can fail requiring revision surgery. In fact, the host immune response to implanted materials and devices is the main factor that will determine a long-term functional outcome of the biomaterial mediated treatment. Therefore, the bone biomaterial ability to modulate the local immune environment for favorable treatment outcomes has to be considered. The usage of bioactive metabolites has emerged as one of the most novel and potent approach for immune response modulation. The incorporation of metabolites with immune regulatory properties seems an especially attractive option for biomaterials as it would ensure site-specific delivery system and allow modulation of the microenvironment. The goal of this project is to develop novel biomaterials with incorporated metabolites as a potentially effective and safe strategy to modulate local immune response towards favorable outcomes of surgical bone remediation. To achieve it, the recent concept of metabolomics with the state of the art biomaterial design and research will be combined in this project. This proposal includes the transfer of knowledge to the host institution and the training of the researcher in new techniques and skills. The multidisciplinary nature of the project is strong, combining materials science, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Results have the potential to pave the way for novel biomaterials significantly improving clinical outcomes for patients suffering from bone injuries.