Bioartificial endocrine glands are a recent promise of regenerative medicine, offering a translational perspective for the cure by transplantation of a number of endocrine and metabolic disorders. However, their reconstruction “on the laboratory bench” (i.e. ex situ) is a substantial challange. Indeed, neither a general 3D architecture of scaffolding nor a bioreactor capable of supporting growth within the thickness of the regenerating endocrine cell mass have yet been proposed. In 2007 we initiated a research program aimed at identifying the most suitable reverse engineering solutions for replication of the 3D micro-macroscopic anatomy of the native, stromal / vascular scaffold (SVS) of endocrine viscera, and the most adequate biomaterials for its prototyping [1-3]. As a result, we developed an innovative bioengineering approach for mechanical support and perfusion pathways to the colonizing cells, with the intent of reaching ex situ reconstruction of an entire, viable endocrine organ.
BIOARTIFICIAL ENDOCRINE ORGANS: A TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE IN REGENERATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
TONI, ROBERTO;SPALETTA, GIULIA;GIARDINO, ROBERTO;
2013
Abstract
Bioartificial endocrine glands are a recent promise of regenerative medicine, offering a translational perspective for the cure by transplantation of a number of endocrine and metabolic disorders. However, their reconstruction “on the laboratory bench” (i.e. ex situ) is a substantial challange. Indeed, neither a general 3D architecture of scaffolding nor a bioreactor capable of supporting growth within the thickness of the regenerating endocrine cell mass have yet been proposed. In 2007 we initiated a research program aimed at identifying the most suitable reverse engineering solutions for replication of the 3D micro-macroscopic anatomy of the native, stromal / vascular scaffold (SVS) of endocrine viscera, and the most adequate biomaterials for its prototyping [1-3]. As a result, we developed an innovative bioengineering approach for mechanical support and perfusion pathways to the colonizing cells, with the intent of reaching ex situ reconstruction of an entire, viable endocrine organ.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
