3.1) Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Lab – Research Topics – Topic 1

Overview

Team

Research Topics

• Meniscal tissue regeneration
• Development of a novel biphasic scaffold for osteochondral lesions
• New strategies to improve bone remodeling in vivo
• Best source of MSC for osteogenesis

Publications

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The development of an engineered meniscus represents a promising method to regenerate a tissue which is rarely able to spontaneously repair. In the common clinical practice, the loss of functionality is the obvious consequence. Otherwise the production of a functional meniscal substitute requires an in-depth knowledge of the native tissue morphology, of its biochemical composition and of cell phenotype in the different regions. Although several studies have been performed to clarify the cellular and structural heterogeneity of the meniscus, there are still some open questions regarding its organization and insufficient repairing and regenerating capacity. In particular, as the reduction of vascularization is strongly connected with meniscus maturation, it is important to determine a possible correlation between vascular changes and modulation of cell phenotype throughout the meniscus development.
This Laboratory is involved in the characterization of the morphology and protein expression of the native meniscal cells in the pig as animal model. The aim is to identify possible molecular signals involved in the regulation of the cell phenotypes. In general the study is addressed to develop a cellular scaffold combined with nano-particles, which locally release the proper signaling factors. The regenerative properties of the engineered scaffold will be evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo models.

1. Di Giancamillo A, Deponti D, Modina S, Tessaro I, Domeneghini C, Peretti GM. Age-related modulation of angiogenesis-regulating factors in the swine meniscus. J Cell Mol Med. 2017; 21(11): 3066-3075.
2. Di Giancamillo A, Mangiavini L, Tessaro I, Marmotti A, Scurati R, Peretti GM. The meniscus vascularization: the direct correlation with tissue composition for tissue engineering purposes. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2016; 30(4 Suppl 1): 85-90.
3. Di Giancamillo A, Deponti D, Addis A, Domeneghini C, Peretti GM. Meniscus maturation in the swine model: changes occurring along with anterior to posterior and medial to lateral aspect during growth. J Cell Mol Med. 2014; 18(10): 1964-74.
4. Scotti C, Hirschmann MT, Antinolfi P, Martin I, Peretti GM. Meniscus repair and regeneration: review on current methods and research potential. Eur Cell Mater. 2013; 26: 150-70. 
5. Deponti D, Di Giancamillo A, Scotti C, Peretti GM, Martin I. Animal models for meniscus repair and regeneration. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2015; 9(5): 512-27.
6. Scotti C, Pozzi A, Mangiavini L, et al. Healing of meniscal tissue by cellular fibrin glue: an in vivo study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2009; 17(6): 645-51.