Development of microtextured membranes for soft tissue regeneration (NGN.4822)

Scarring is a major medical problem that gives rise to adverse cosmetic, functional and growth disturbances, particularly in children. Besides this, cosmetic problems need attention. Prevention or reduction of scarring after surgery remains an important goal of reconstructive surgery, like in cleft palate repair.
A substance which is supposed to affect scar tissue formation is transforming growth factor-Beta (TGF-Beta). Three isoforms of TGF-Beta (1,2 and 3) have been identified in mammals. TGF-Beta3 appears to be the most effective anti-scarring agent. The application of TFG-Beta in wounds requires the use of a suitable carrier material. The carrier has to deliver a specified local dose of TGF-Beta3 to achieve improvement of wound healing. In addition, the carrier has to function as a scaffold for the regenerating tissues.
Recently, we demonstrated that microtextured surfaces (STW: NGN11.2612, NWO902-35-120) have an effect on the wound healing process. Significant lower numbers of inflammatory cells and blood vessels were observed around microgrooved implants compared to conventional implants. Such microtextured surfaces are also extremely suitable to be coated with additional growth factors.
Further, it is desirable that the carrier material is degraded and replaced by the healing tissue. The degradation has to occur slowly in order to allow completion of the wound healing process and should not be associated with a severe inflammatory response. Poly L-lactide (PLA) appears to fullfil these requirements. Microtextured surfaces can be easily manufactured from PLA using a cast molding process.
In view of the above, the current grant proposal deals with two main questions. Firstly, can microtextured biodegradable membranes loaded with TGF-Beta3 promote soft tissue regeneration? Secondly, do microtextured biodegradable membranes loaded with TGF-Beta3 reduce scar tissue formation after palatal surgery?
The final goal of this project is to develop a new technique for improved soft tissue regeneration.

Het doel is niet gehaald. Wel kon worden aangetoond dat het groeihormoon op een polymere drager geladen kan worden en dat het dan nog steeds biologisch actief is. Echter, in verder onderzoek bleek dat de eerdere gunstige bevindingen met microtextuur (met of zonder groeihormoon) in een aantal situaties niet meer aantoonbaar zijn. Het project heeft wel veel achtergrondkennis opgeleverd over wondgenezingsprocessen in zachte weefsels. Als gevolg van deze opgebouwde  kennis is er een samenwerking tot stand gekomen met het bedrijf Dermagenics BV (dochter van Greystone Medical Co., Memphis, USA). In samenwerking met dit bedrijf wordt nu de werkzaamheid van gemicrostructureerde implantaten als drug carrier onderzocht.

Er zijn vrijf bedrijfen, één instelling en één andere universiteit bij dit project betrokken.

Prof.dr. J.A. Jansen
Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen
Medische wetenschappen
Vakgroep Orale Functieleer
Afd. Biomaterialen
Postbus 9101
6500 HB Nijmegen