Tissue-Engineered Products & Biomaterials – VJRegenMed

The future of omentum-based autologous tissue engineering

Simon Ng — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:01:23 +0000

Advances in autologous tissue regeneration in the form of an omentum-derived hydrogel and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived tissue have led to promising therapies for spinal cord injury and cardiac infarction. Asaf Toker, MD, Matricelf, Ness Ziona, Israel, provides an overview of the future of this novel technology. Whilst currently only being assessed in two indications, this method of autologous tissue engineering can theoretically be applied to any type of damaged tissue. Potential indications include Parkinson’s Disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other musculoskeletal disorders. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Autologous tissue-engineered solutions for spinal cord injuries

Simon Ng — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:43:27 +0000

Asaf Toker, MD, Matricelf, Ness Ziona, Israel, discusses autologous neural implants for patients with spinal cord injuries, which consists of the implant itself and a scaffold. Omental tissue extracted from the patient via a biopsy is decellularized, resulting in the formation of thermo-responsive hydrogel that serves as the scaffold for the tissue-engineered product. Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from the patient’s mature cells within the thermo-responsive hydrogel results in the formation of neural cells that can connect damaged spinal tissue. First-in-man clinical trials for the product are planned in 2025 in patients with spinal cord injuries. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Restoring cardiac tissue with omentum-based hydrogel implants

Simon Ng — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:43:26 +0000

Asaf Toker, MD, Matricelf, Ness Ziona, Israel, describes of the development of an autologous omental hydrogel to treat damaged cardiac tissue after a myocardial infarction. In a similar fashion to neural implants for spinal cord injuries also produced by Matricelf, the novel therapy utilizes autologous omental tissue that is decellularized to make a thermo-responsive hydrogel. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from the patient’s peripheral blood subsequently differentiates into cardiac tissue when attached to the hydrogel. The implant can either be surgically attached on the injured tissue or can be injected and then solidify once in the body. This interview was conducted during Meeting on the Mediterranean 2022.

Human acellular vessels in coronary artery disease

Simon Ng — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:14:38 +0000

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery represents the standard of care for patients with coronary artery disease, and whilst nearby vessels such as the internal mammary artery are utilized to relive blockages, some patients use the saphenous vein in the leg. Harvesting the saphenous vein is less efficacious and carries a higher risk of infection. Alan Kypson, MD, FACS, UNC REX Hospital, Raleigh, NC, describes the development of off-the-shelf human acellular vessels (HAVs) that are resistant to infection. Studies in primate models demonstrated the efficacy of HAVs, where smooth muscle and endothelial cells repopulated the graft, successfully replicating a blood vessel. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

The development of human acellular vessels and its advantages

Simon Ng — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:14:35 +0000

Alan Kypson, MD, FACS, UNC REX Hospital, Raleigh, NC, provides an overview of the manufacturing process of human acellular vessels (HAVs) and their advantages in the clinical setting. The production of HAVs begin with the application of banked human vascular smooth muscle cells on a tubular mesh scaffold which is subsequently placed in a bioreactor. As the mesh degrades, the extracellular matrix remains and decellularization enables the HAV to be non-immunogenic. Dr Kypson highlights additional advantages including the large-scale manufacturing capabilities of HAVs, as well as their off-the-shelf nature. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

The future of small-diameter human acellular vessels

Simon Ng — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:14:34 +0000

Whilst the field of cardiac bioengineering has predominantly focused on 3D printing and cell and gene therapies, research on human acellular vessels (HAVs) is still in its infancy. Alan Kypson, MD, FACS, UNC REX Hospital, Raleigh, NC, discusses current developments in HAVs and their potential applications. Large-diameter HAVs can be applied in dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease or in a surgical setting for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Dr Kypson additionally emphasizes future research on small-diameter HAVs, which can be used in patients with cardiovascular disease, especially in patients who often lack the appropriate vessels for bypass surgery. This interview took place at Advanced Therapies Week 2022.

Progress in creating degradable materials for medical devices

Simon Ng — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 17:55:02 +0000

Aylvin Dias, PhD, DSM, Geleen, The Netherlands, comments on the development of degradable materials in the field of regenerative medicine, which can be applied as a drug delivery device in patients, and will not interfere with the healing response. Dr Dias additionally highlights steps that need to be taken for successful clinical adoption of degradable materials, including initially focusing on one indication, and on the pharmacokinetics of the final products. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Nerve regeneration with polyhydroxyalkanoate-based conduits

Simon Ng — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 17:55:00 +0000

Ipsita Roy, PhD, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, provides an overview of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration. Changes in the PHA formulation resulted in the creation of a stiff, but elastic tubular structure and in vivo studies demonstrated that the scaffold regenerated damaged nerves after a 10 week period as effectively as autologously transplanted nerves. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

The advantages of polyhydroxyalkanoate-based scaffolds

Simon Ng — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 17:54:59 +0000

Ipsita Roy, PhD, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK, comments on the benefits of using polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) over alternative materials as scaffolds in regenerative medicine. Compared to other biocompatible polymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), PHA is a sustainable polymer and produces natural metabolites when it degrades, unlike PLLA which degrades to lactic acid. PHA is additionally more stable than hydrogels such as alginate, and can be manipulated to have different properties, allowing it to have multiple functions. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).

Applications of collagen-based therapies in ruptured eardrums

Simon Ng — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:01:34 +0000

Juan Pablo Aguilar Alemán, PhD, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, discusses the therapeutic potential of tissue engineered collagen grafts. In patients who have been infected with the flu, the eardrum can rupture and whilst the tympanic membrane heals itself in most cases, hearing loss can occur in a small proportion of patients. Collagen grafts derived from tendons can offer a convenient and affordable solution for patients who have ruptured eardrums. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).