Description
In general, approximately 15% of the total world population is in need of joint treatment today. The project is aiming to develop treatment methods for a difficult and challenging clinical problem connected to degenerative lesions of the articular joints by using multidisciplinary approaches to produce transplantable new organs for repair of osteochondral lesions. The final results of this project could be used as a representative in vitro model of the osteochondral defects or as a prototype of medical tissue engineering product to repair damaged joint. Combination of the surfaces optimised for both cellular and tissular interactions is the biggest obstacle of the project. The people who suffer from a trauma and diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis will benefit from the project. The communication between the project partners include meetings, phone, video-conferences, website/web-based communication platforms, internal e-mailing list and reporting structures. The collaboration within this project will allow to develop a new treatment options, based on the combination of knowledge, experience and achievements of the partners.
Summary of project results
This project is related to the health area which is one of the targeted research priorities of the Polish-Norwegian Research Programme. In general, approximately 15 % of the total world population is in need of articular joint treatment today. In Poland, as in the rest of the Western world, it is one of the commonest causes of chronic pain, physical dysfunction and disability. The project was aiming to develop treatment methods for a difficult and challenging clinical problem connected to degenerative lesions of the articular joints by using multidisciplinary approaches such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to produce transplantable new organs for repair of osteochondral lesions. The final result of this project are 3D biomimetic biphasic and zonal osteochondral constructs were developed which could play a role of a representative in vitro model of the osteochondral tissue or a prototype of medical tissue engineering product to repair and/or replace damaged joint. In the first step the proper somatic cells as well as optimal synthetic and natural biomaterials were selected to support cartilage and subchondral bone regeneration. In the second step, a biofabrication method involving cell-printing, electrospinning and 3D Solid FreeForm Fabrication was developed to form a 3D biomimetic cell containing osteochondral constructs.
Summary of bilateral results
The main achievement of the project was development of 3D osteochondral constructs with biomimetic zones which could be used as in vitro models of the osteochondral defect or as a prototype of the tissue engineered product for osteochondral defects. Moreover, the knowledge on adult stem cells and their behaviour was gained during project realization and could to be applicable in other tissue engineering disciplines. The activities on biology and biotechnology of stem cells, resulted in increased knowledge with regard to development, biology and pathology of cartilage and bone thanks to proteomics, genomics and signalling pathways. New knowledge in the field of hydrogel biomaterials was achieved. In addition, developed 3D printing methods could be applied to fabricated other tissues or organ biological models. Bilateral funds contributed to strengthened bilateral relations at the project level through formal partnerships and scientific collaboration. The project allowed for combining expertise of Norwegian and Polish Partners to challenge development of biomimetic tissue engineering constructs which could be further studied as a possible solution for treatment osteochondral lesions. Bilateral partnership significantly contributes to the project results making them more innovative and scientifically stronger, which have been already and would be in near future published in high level journals.