Biological materials: an excellent ally for regenerative medicine in the treatment of ostearthritis
In the Laboratory of Human Anatomy of the Università del Piemonte Orientale, directed by Professor Francesca Boccafoschi, research work focuses on regenerative medicine. In this context, master's graduate Emma Zanella and master's student Irene Regano are working on the project ''Psycochemical characterization and biological performances of an ECM-derived hydrogel: role in articular cartilage regeneration''. The ambitious goal of this project is to develop and characterize biomaterials capable of supporting the structural and fucntional regeneration of articular cartilage.
This tissue, indeed, can be the target of various degenerative diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA) which represents an emerging medical challenge. This condition is characterized by high inflammation, reduced lubrification and abnormal cellular behavior at the joint level, which gradually lead to pain and stiffness in movements, strongly affecting the quality of life of patients.
In the current context of ageing of the general population, the prevalence of OA is expected to grow as well as its clinical relevance.
Current therapeutic approaches mainly involve the administration of anti-inflammatories and intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. However, these methods only provide symptom control and are ineffective in halting the progression of the disease. In severe cases, therefore, surgical intervention, such as joint replacement with prosthetics, becomes the solution.
Considering the incapacity of articular cartilage to regenerate as a result of damage and the current lack of therapeutic strategies to support the functional restoration of this tissue, the study of innovative biomaterials for the treatment of osteoarthritis is of increasing interest.
The project focuses on the characterization of a natural hydrogel derived from decellularized bovine pericardium. This hydrogel combines the high flexibility and adaptability of polymer networks with the intrinsic bioactivity of biological matrices.
Since the cartilage primarly consists mainly of extracellular matrix which is significantly degraded in osteoarthritic contexts, the use of hydrogel capable of providing a suitable microenvironment for resident cells is a potentially promising strategy.
The experimental plan implemented in the project is based mainly on in vitro experiments, in which mesenchymal cells are used to generate three-dimensional cultures such as spheroids, in order to study the effects of hydrogel on chondrogenesis.
Indeed, these models more summarize the in vivo complexity of cartilage tissue, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the regenerative potential of the biomaterial.
Thanks to a collaboration with the Complex Structure of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the AOU of Novara, directed by Professor Mario Ronga, the biological performance of the hydrogel will be subsequently studied on tissue samples obtained from patients, in order to collect useful data for the progress of the project with in vivo studies on mouse models of osteoarthritis.
