MEFISTO - Meniscal functionalised scaffold to prevent knee Osteoarthritis onset after meniscectomy (DCM.AD007.070)

Thematic area

Chemical sciences and materials technology

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)

Project manager

LUIGI AMBROSIO
Phone number: 0812425929
Email: luigi.ambrosio@cnr.it

Abstract

MEFISTO will develop two novel solutions to treat meniscus loss as a strategy for preventing the onset of an epidemic of post-meniscectomy knee osteoarthritis (OA) in Europe. The two different reconstructive strategies are: i) a controlled vascularized bioactive biodegradable meniscal scaffold, which will regenerate the native meniscus. This strategy will address younger patients with early osteoarthritic changes. ii) a bioactive non-biodegradable meniscal prosthesis, which will act as a mechanical unloading device and a drug delivery system, with the capacity to modulate the inflammatory environment. This strategy will address patients with advanced OA. The technological innovation lies in the development of biologically active functionalized nanobiomaterials that can interact with the surrounding articular tissues. The biodegradable scaffold will promote revascularization in the peripheral zone, while leaving the inner zone avascular, reflecting the native meniscal tissue and functionalization with drug delivery micro/nanoparticles of the non-biodegradable device will provide modulation of inflammation.

Goals

MEFISTO aims to develop two novel solutions to treat acute and chronic meniscus loss as a strategy for preventing the onset of an imminent epidemic of post-meniscectomy knee OA in Europe, to provide predictive and treatment algorithms and to analyse the socio-economic environment. The technological innovation lies in the development of biologically active functionalized nanobiomaterials, personalized to treat patients with different degrees of joint degeneration, that can interact with the surrounding articular tissues in a pre-determined fashion interventions developed in MEFISTO will prevent the patients from receiving jointsacrificing procedures such as metal prosthesis whilst reducing the social burden, associated costs and high levels of morbidity resulting from OA.

Start date of activity

01/04/2019

Keywords

Materials engineering, Meniscus regeneration, 3D biofunctionalisation

Last update: 19/04/2025