Project A05
Development of a transplantable bioartificial adrenal
Project A05 deals with the development of new therapeutic strategies for adrenal insufficiency. Corticosteroid replacement resembles the only therapy so far but does not restore the physiological feedback regulation of an intact hypothalamic- pituitary- adrenal- (HPA) axis. The project aims to establish new techniques of transplanting isolated adrenal cells for safe and physiological hormone substitution by taking advantage of encapsulating techniques, thus restoring the HPA axis and improve immune protection.
Aims
(I) Identification of potential cell sources for adrenal cell replacement therapy. Optimal cell sources for cell replacement will be evaluated based upon functional potential, longterm stability and immunogenicity.
(II) Evaluation of optimal encapsulation and transplantation strategies. Both macro- and microencapsulation techniques have been shown as feasible for application to adrenal cells. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo testing is sought to identify optimal transplantation conditions.
(III) Therapeutic capacity of adrenal cell replacement. The most promising bioartificial adrenal strategies will be tested in adequate small and large animal preclinical models.
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Principal Investigator |
Institution |
| Prof. Dr. med. Barbara Ludwig | TUD |
| Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Bornstein | TUD |