Omentum based scaffold for tissue engineering

Hydrogels for treating heart diseases:Injectable hydrogels have been developed as potential translatable materials to impact the cascade of events that occur after MI. These hydrogels, consisting of either synthetic or natural materials, form through numerous chemical crosslinking and assembly mechanisms and can be used as bulking agents or for the delivery of biofactors (growth factors, cytokines, small molecules, etc.).The delivery of factors from injectable hydrogels can influence cellular processes such as apoptosis, cardioprotection and angiogenesis in the myocardium or can be used to recruit stem cells for repair.

Relevant factors:Relevant factors may include factors: 1. Factors promoting cardioprotection by maintaining cardiac cell viability in the infarct, such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), 2. Factors attracting stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells to the hydrogel, such as stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), and 3. Factors promoting angiogenesis, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

The omentum matrix: The omentum, a double sheet of peritoneum can be quickly (~5 min) removed from patients by minimally invasive procedures and without health implications.The omentum has recognized regenerative capabilities, for example, its ECM is known to serve as a depot for growth factors and cytokines and can support stem cell growth. Moreover, this organ is highly vascularized and post processing the preserved blood vessel infrastructure can assist to attract endothelial and stem cells and accommodate them. Thus they are ideal for regenerating ischemic tissues. Previously we have developed an efficient procedure for cell removal from this tissue, and its manipulation for serving as autologous/xenogeneic scaffolds for tissue engineering in general, and particularly for engineering functional cardiac patches (a PCT was submitted).Our previous work included characterization of the structural, biochemical and mechanical properties of the obtained matrix, and demonstration that cardiac cells and endothelial cells can effectively interact with it. We have already shown that our unique biomaterial can induce the formation of blood vessel network, which is essential for integration of the patch with the myocardium.

ECM-based thermoresponsive hydrogel: Recently, we have utilized the omentum biomaterial to develop a thermoresponsive hydrogel, which in principle is liquid in room temperature and gels at physiological temperatures. The omentum ECM-based dry scaffold is milled, digested and processed in unique conditions to obtain a completely natural liquid biomaterial which solidifies in body temperature (370C). In comparison to other hydrogels that are used for heart regeneration, for example alginate, the omentum gel is composed of many of the essential materials constituting a natural ECM (e.g. collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, adhesion proteins, etc.). A PCT describing the method for hydrogel fabrication and the obtained properties of the hydrogel was filed on May 2014.

Project manager

Adi Elkeles
BD Manager

Project researchers

Tal Dvir
T.A.U Tel Aviv University, Life Sciences
Molecular Microbiology-Biotechnology