4th International Conference on Tissue and Genetic EngineeringApril 1 - 2, 2004 • Holiday Inn at Government Center • Boston, MA USA [ Overview | Agenda | Call for Posters | Register ] View Electronic Brochure (PDF)Overview
In it’s 4th year, this highly focused conference will provide the biotech community with state-of-the-art research for tissue and genetic engineering. Significant advancements in stem cell technologies for cartilage repair and successful gene transfer into chondrocytes have resulted in valuable commercial opportunities within the field of regenerative medicine. Furthermore, the latest • Assessing Cartilage Function in Human Joints Take this opportunity to get the latest research from the leaders in the field of regenerative medicine and register today for this conference!
This half-day seminar will feature various aspects of device implantation. AgendaPre-Conference Seminar Implantable systems: The Challenge of BiocompatibilityThursday, April 1, 20048:00 Registration, Poster / Exhibit Set-Up, Coffee and Pastries 8:40 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks 8:45 Preclinical Testing Requirements and Considerations to Meet Regulatory Requirements for Medical Devices 9:25 Implantable Systems in Regenerative Medicine 10:05 Refreshment Break 10:40 Assessing Biocompatibility of Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembled Nanofilm in vitro and its Potential Usage in vivo 11:20 Host Responses in Tissue Engineering 12:00 Concluding Discussion and End of Seminar Main Conference Thursday, April 1, 20041:00 Registration, Poster / Exhibit Set-Up, Refreshments 1:30 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks Biomechanics1:35 Biomechanics, Diagnostics and Repair of Articular Cartilage Michael D. Buschmann, Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Canada Chair in Cartilage Tissue Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique, Vice-President of Discovery, BioSyntech Inc. Methods for the measurement and analysis of the biomechanical function of cartilage will be reviewed and compared. The design and use of a newly developed electromechanical instrument to assess cartilage function in human and animal joints, the Arthro-BSTTM, will be presented. The principle and recent results of a new product to improve cartilage repair, the injectable device BST- CarGelTM, will also be summarised. 2:10 Mechanical Considerations in the Design of Tissue-Engineered Scaffolds Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary approach towards the design of replacement tissues from synthetic and biological materials. An overlooked aspect in the design process is the mechanical properties of the replacement material. Structural integrity is critical for dimensional stability of the tissue-engineered construct during the repair process. This talk will provide a process example for mechanically optimizing an osteoconductive and bioabsorbable scaffold for bone repair. The biopolymer-based construct enables ingrowth of bone cells, while providing a mechanical framework comparable to native bone. The scaffold is rapidly integrated with healing bone, and progressively replaced by natural bone during the concurrent polymer degradation and bone remodeling processes. The optimization techniques discussed may be used to design functional materials for a range of engineered tissues. 2:45 A Paradigm for Functional Tissue Engineering of Articular Cartilage Using Applied Deformational Loading The use of applied deformational loading (at physiologic levels) as a strategy to cultivate chondral and osteochondral constructs that possess functional load bearing properties approaching those of the native tissue will be discussed. 3:20 Refreshment Break, Poster / Exhibit Viewing Imaging3:45 Imaging Chondrocyte Responses to Material and Mechanical Variables Marcus Cicerone, Ph.D., Polymers Division, NIST Hydrogels based on PEG-dimethacrylate have been developed with control over material variables such as modulus and charge. Bovine chondrocytes were cultured in these matrices under static and dynamic conditions, and optical characterization of matrix production by chondrocytes embedded in hydrogels will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on quantitative image analysis for the development of structure-property relationships of hydrogels for tissue engineering. 4:20 Development of Engineered Cartilage Tissue in an MRI-Compatible Bioreactor The development of an MRI-compatible hollow fiber bioreactor (HFBR) system for neocartilage growth has the potential to contribute significantly to osteoarthritis therapeutics. As a 3-dimensional culture environment exhibiting realistic macroscopic tissue properties, such as cell-matrix interactions and matrix transport barriers to substrate delivery and metabolic product efflux, this model can serve as a test bed for evaluating the effects of agents and growth conditions on developing cartilage. Similarly, substrate conditions promoting the development of high-quality cartilage from cells can be studied efficiently. Finally, the HFBR permits detailed evaluation of correlations amongst histologic, biochemical, biomechanical, and imaging outcome measures. Therefore, it is of great utility in developing non-invasive MRI methodology towards in situ evaluation of cartilage repair procedures. 4:55 In Vivo Assessment of Articular Cartilage Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Magnetic resonance imaging has been used to follow disease progression both in osteoarthritic (OA) patients and preclinical models of OA. This presentation will feature some of our developments aimed at identifying surrogate markers of early OA, particularly with reference to molecular changes in articular cartilage prior to the gross structural changes that occur later in the disease. 5:30 Selected Poster Presentations 5:45 End of Day One Friday, April 2, 20048:00 Coffee and Pastries, Poster / Exhibit Viewing 8:25 Chairperson’s Remarks Scaffolds8:30 Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Chondrogenesis Within A Novel Self-Assembling Peptide Scaffold Alan J. Grodzinsky, Director, MIT Center for Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Electrical, Mechanical and Bio - Engineering, MIT Primary chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells have been seeded into self-assembling peptide hydrogel scaffolds. The generation of neocartilage tissue, accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and catabolic processing and turnover of ECM have been studied in response to physical and biological stimuli, including mechanical loading and, in preliminary studies, using gene transfer for selected growth factors. In addition, cellular response has been characterized using a variety of serum supplemented and serum free media to study effects on cell outgrowth and proliferation, cell biosynthesis, and phenotypic expression. 9:05 A 3-Dimensional Osteochondral Scaffold for Articular Cartilage Repair Current treatments for articular cartilage defects are only moderately successful. We propose using a heterogeneous 3-D scaffold that is cultured in vitro before implantation. This unique, multiphasic, osteochondral scaffold was created using the TheriFormTM process. The material composition, microarchitecture, internal macroscopic architecture, overall shape, and resulting mechanical properties varied throughout the structure. The cartilage region was 90% porous and contained macroscopic staggered channels to facilitate homogenous cell seeding. The cloverleaf-shaped bone portion was 55% porous and designed to maximize bone ingrowth while maintaining critical mechanical properties. The transition region between these two sections contained a gradient of materials and porosity to prevent delamination. Speaker is currently at Schering-Plough. 9:40 Controlled Release of Proteins from Porous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering The release of growth factors from porous scaffolds is considered as essential to enhance cell proliferation and/or differentiation in tissue engineering applications. We developed a method to incorporate and release proteins from porous polymeric scaffolds based on emulsions of Poly (ethylene glycol)/poly (butylene terephtalate) (PolyActive®). The resulting scaffolds will be discussed regarding porosity, inter-pore connection, mechanical properties and ability to tailor the release rate of model proteins and relevant growth factors. 10:15 Refreshment Break, Poster / Exhibit Viewing Gene Therapy10:35 Approaches to Prevent Delayed Rejection of Xenogeneic Cartilage Cristina Costa, Department of Molecular Sciences, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The use of xenogeneic cells or tissues may benefit the development of clinical tissue-engineering applications. However, tissue-based xenografts such as cartilage are rejected in primates by a not-well characterized process of delayed rejection that involves both humoral and cellular mechanisms. We have utilized a model of porcine cartilage transplanted into a1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (Gal KO) mice to better understand the mechanisms of xenogeneic cartilage rejection and develop approaches that promote engraftment. Expression of human a1,2-fucosyltransferase (HT) for example protects from the Gala1,3-Gal-mediated immune response that contributes to this process. Our results also indicate that complement activation plays a role in the elicited xenoantibody response and delayed tissue rejection. Therefore, the combination of complement inhibition with the elimination of the Gala1,3-Gal antigen would be preferable. 11:10 Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for Gene Transfer into Articular Cartilage Successful gene transfer into articular chondrocytes in situ is a prerequisite for gene therapy of articular joint disorders. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are based on the replication-defective human parvovirus that is nonpathogenic in humans. In generating rAAV vectors, all of the viral protein coding sequences can be removed, reducing the immunogenicity characteristic of adenoviruses. We used rAAV vectors to deliver recombinant genes to isolated articular chondrocytes in vitro, articular cartilage tissue in vitro, and sites of articular damage in vivo. Recombinant rAAV vectors efficiently transduced chondrocytes in situ within their native matrix to a depth sufficient to be of potential clinical significance. In vivo, rAAV vectors are capable of 11:45 Luncheon, Sponsored by The Knowledge Foundation 1:10 Chairperson’s Remarks Stem Cell Therapy1:15 Stem Cell Therapy for Bone and Joint Repair Frank Barry Ph.D., Director, Arthritis Research, Osiris Therapeutics Inc. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into a variety of connective tissue cells including bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle and adipose tissue. These cells may be isolated from bone marrow with ease, and expanded in culture through many generations, while retaining their capacity to differentiate when exposed to appropriate signals. The isolation of these cells from adult tissues raises opportunities for the development of novel cellular therapies without the ethical considerations associated with the use of embryonic stem cells. Multipotent cells have been isolated from various mesenchymal tissues in adults including skeletal muscle, fat, synovial membrane as well as hematopoietic, neural and hepatic tissues. Because of their multipotentiality and capacity for self-renewal adult stem cells may represent units of active regeneration of tissues damaged as a result of trauma or disease. In certain degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) stem cells are depleted and have reduced proliferative capacity, and reduced ability to differentiate. The systemic or local delivery of stem cells to these individuals may therefore enhance repair or inhibit the progressive loss of joint tissue. This presentation describes the characterization of MSCs in vitro, the development of methods for their delivery in a variety of therapeutic applications in bone and joint repair, and discusses the outcome of preclinical experiments. 1:50 Cellular Alternatives for Articular Cartilage Repair After 15 years of clinical chondrocyte transplantation, the mechanisms and functions of the transplanted cells within the repair tissue are being revealed. At the same time new alternatives of using autologous/allogenic mesenchymal stem cells and human embryonic stem cells are being proposed. This talk will discuss the potential and possibilities of the current and upcoming cellular alternatives for cartilage repair. 2:25 Refreshment Break, Poster / Exhibit Viewing 2:45 Chondroinductive Cartilage Repair - Chemotaxis, Recruitment and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Progenitor Cells We follow the hypothesis that a cell-therapy approach using chemoattractant molecules and/or their receptors will allow the in situ recruitment of human mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells to sites of degenerated articular cartilage and their use for directed generation of cartilaginous joint structures. 3:20 Stem Cell Driven Regeneration of Articular Condyle Previous meritorious attempts have utilized mature chondrocytes, osteoblasts and their progenitor cells to generate cylindrical osteochondral constructs for cell-based repair of joint defects. A clinical challenge is to regenerate the entire articular condyle with cartilage and bone components by progenitor cells to ultimately engineer a biologically viable total condyle from the patient’s autologous stem cells. We have taken the initial steps by inducing in vivo neogenesis of a human-shaped articular condyle with both cartilaginous and osseous components from a single population of mesenchymal stem cells. 3:55 Reprogramming of Human Mature Adult Cells to Pluripotent Stem Cells by Cell Surface Contact The talk will be mainly focusing on the generation of 4 classes of pluripotent stem cells such as 1) Undifferentiated stem cells 2) Neuronal stem cells 3) Call for PostersCall for Posters Industry and academic scientists are encouraged to submit poster titles for this event. One-page abstracts (8 1/2” x 11” with 1-inch margins) must be submitted no later than March 10, 2004 for inclusion in conference documentation. Additional poster submissions will be accepted until March 25, 2004 but may not be included in conference documentation. Please include the title of the abstract, the authors, affiliation and contact information. Size of Posterboard: 3x4 feet / 90 (h)x 120 (w) cm Note: If you are submitting a poster, you MUST be registered and paid in advance to ensure that a posterboard is reserved for you.
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