BIOTECHNOLOGY 63
after treatment cardiac scar tissue resulting from adverse remodelling is reduced and the tissue mechanical behaviour resembles that of healthy hearts.
Accessible source of adult stem cells Tese positive effects are assumed to be caused by secretion of proteins by the ADSCs that directly or indirectly stimulate regenerative processes in the damaged tissue.
Tis paracrine mechanism
has been reported for many types of stem cells. Among all options, ADSCs were selected for being an abundant and well accessible source of adult stem cells with a proven safety profile.
Unique characteristics Te distribution of secreted factors to the region where they are required is favoured by unique characteristics of the collagen cell carrier (CCC) used
as carrier for these ADSCs that set it apart from other collagen products:
l low thickness (20µm) l good biocompatibility l high tear resistance and
elasticity without any chemical crosslinking, which enables suturing and adapting the membrane tightly to the pumping heart
Tese pre-requisites ensure a minimal and barrier-free distance between ADSCs and the injured tissue.
Chemical comparison When compared to chemically cross-linked and thus stiffer material, it was also observed that the CCC underwent a timely and smooth biodegradation process. Importantly, it triggered only a mild inflammatory reaction that was even lower than for the suturing material used to fix the membrane. But Dr Prosper’s group found that the CCC may not only offer “passive” favourable conditions to let the ADSCs do their job. “Just by culturing ADSCs on the collagen membrane we observed an altered gene expression that may ultimately lead to the beneficial effect on unwanted cardiac tissue remodelling.” For this, the interaction with the CCC may positively influence ADSC signalling and secretion for this therapeutic purpose. Te improved cell engraftment and presumably favourable combination of secreted factors mediated by the collagen carrier drastically reduced the number of cells required for implantation. Accordingly, 50 million ASDCs were sufficient to gain
The collagen cell carrier consists of a dense network of long, intact collagen type I fibres from bovine skin. As a stable, biocompatible matrix it immobilises therapeutic stem cells at infarcted heart tissue
positive outcome. Terefore the hazard of unwanted cell spreading to other organs and the related adverse effects are minimised. “Tese very promising results persuaded us to build up a facility to produce CCCs under strictly controlled clean room conditions in medical grade quality and to proceed now to clinical studies. Tis new facility will contribute to the clinical development of this and other ATMPs as well as enable the improvement of medical devices in cooperation with existing partners,” says Lluís Quintana from Viscofan BioEngineering, the company developing special collagen products for R&D and now advancing towards the medical market. “Together with our partners
we envision a real regenerative therapy for patients suffering from chronic cardiac dysfunction resulting from an infarct. By regenerating heart pumping function the quality of life can be significantly improved – leading to less fatigue, more activity, higher patient independence and ideally less mortality related to cardiac insufficiency,” Quintana states. He adds: “Our studies will also hopefully bring forward the field of ATMPs, which is currently underrepresented due to high economical risks, complexity of the products and lack of predictable regulation and clear regulatory guidance. By advancing this therapy and by developing similar approaches for other medical indications we intend to contribute to turn Europe into a point of reference in regenerative medicine.”
For more information ✔ at
www.scientistlive.com/eurolab
“One week after suturing the collagen cell
carrier loaded with ADSCs to the site of damaged cardiac tissue, one quarter of cells had engrafted in the heart muscle, while in the group where ADSCs had been administered by injection, implanted cells were lost completely…”
Dr. Felipe Prosper University of Navarra
Dr Jessica Daecke is with Viscofan BioEngineering.
www.viscofan-bioengineering.com
www.scientistlive.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84