Direct cell reprogramming therapy in myocardial regeneration through an engineered multifunctional platform integrating biochemical instructive cues
The aim of BIORECAR is to develop a new breakthrough multifunctional biomaterial-based platform for myocardial regeneration after myocardial infarction, provided with biochemical cues able to enhance the direct reprogramming of human cardiac fibroblasts into functional cardiomyocytes.
Bioartificial materials based on polyurethanes and biomimetic scaffolds will be the key elements to achieve a significant knowledge and technological advancement in direct cell reprogramming therapy, opening the way to the future translation of the therapy into the clinics. Innovative cell-friendly and efficient nanoparticles for targeted reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts will be developed and embedded into an injectable hydrogel for targeted reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts. The injectable hydrogel will be prepared based on a bioartificial blend in which the natural component will be selected among a novel cell-secreted natural polymer mixture ("biomatrix") recapitulating the complexity of cardiac extracellular matrix or one of its main protein constituents. Such multifunctional hydrogel will deliver in situ agents stimulating recruitment of cardiac fibroblasts together with the nanoparticles loaded with reprogramming therapeutics, and will provide biochemical signalling to stimulate efficient conversion of fibroblasts into mature cardiomyocytes.
Additionally, a novel 3D in vitro tissue-engineered model of human cardiac fibrotic tissue will be developed, as a tool for in vitro testing and validation, to maximise research efforts and reduce animal tests.
First-in-field biomaterials-based innovations introduced by BIORECAR will enable more effective regeneration of functional myocardial tissue respect to state-of-the art approaches.
BIORECAR innovation is multidisciplinary in nature and will be accelerated towards future clinical translation through clinical, scientific and industrial collaborations.
Prof. Valeria Chiono
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Politecnico di Torino
Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin
Email: valeria.chiono@polito.it
Tel.: 0039 0110906920