EVPRO - Development of Extracellular Vesicles loaded hydrogel Coatings
Stem cell technology to promote endoprosthesis osseointegration
Revision endoprosthesis is often complicated by severe inflammatory post-surgical reactions in the endoprosthesis area, leading to long-term immobility and, in severe cases, implant rejection. The EU-funded EVPRO project will work on integrating multidisciplinary technologies to promote successful osseointegration of endoprostheses in osteoarticular tissue regeneration. The project will employ human mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs), which suppress inflammatory reactions and display pro-regenerative properties in osteogenic applications. The MSC-EVs will be delivered directly to the site of inflammation and affix to the implant surface, where they will exert their anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects in response to the local inflammation. Researchers aim to achieve this by integrating the MSC-EVs in biodegradable hydrogel absorbed into the micropores of a conventional titanium endoprosthesis.