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

Area tematica

Scienze chimiche e tecnologie dei materiali

Area progettuale

Struttura responsabile del progetto di ricerca

Istituto per i Polimeri, Compositi e Biomateriali (IPCB)

Responsabile di progetto

LUIGI AMBROSIO
Telefono: 0812425929
E-mail: 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.

Obiettivi

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.

Data inizio attività

01/04/2019

Parole chiave

Materials engineering, Meniscus regeneration, 3D biofunctionalisation

Ultimo aggiornamento: 06/05/2024