CELL THERAPY IN OSTEOARTICULAR DISEASES

 

 

 

MIEMBERS AND COLLABORATORS

 

Name

Category

E-mail

Vega Villa Suarez (coord.)

CD Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas, Unileon

vega.villar@unileon.es

Julio G. Prieto Fernández CU Fisiología Unileon, julio. prieto@unileon.es

Jaime Sánchez Lázaro

Especialista, Caule

jasanlazaro@gmail.com

Jesús C. Betegón Nicolas

Especialista, Caule

betedoc@yahoo.es

Luis Díaz Gallego

Jefe de Sección. Caule

ldg511@telefonica.net

Rebeca Real Fernández

Investigadora Colaboradora

dfirrf@unileon.es

Marisa González Fernández

Investigad. Colaboradora

marisagf@hotmail.com

Daniel González Arabio

Especialista, Caule

danielarabio@yahoo.es

Prudencio Alonso Otero

Investigador Colaborador

prudencio.alonsootero@gmail.com

Manuel La Nuez García Investigador Colaborador mlanuezgarcia@gmail.com
José García Cosamalón Investigador colaborador jcosamalon@smonica.com

OBJECTIVES

1. Use of mesenquimal stem cells ((MECs) for the induction of chondrogenesis and development of viable and efficient alternatives for culturing and proliferation

2. Study of the protective effects of the use of hyaluronic acid (AH) and other Sysadoas in bone pathology

3. Physicochemical properties of the AH´s and mechanisms of action of AH´s, Sysadoas and natural products

4. ABC transporters as efflux pumps of drugs

ACTIVITIES

The group is formed by researchers of diverse background, including biologist and physicians from several Departments of the University of Leon and the Traumatology Unit of Hospital of Leon

The first line of research tries to apply the knowledge from chondrocytes to the MSCs. Results from these studies have been presented as a patent application entitles “Establishment of a new cell line called VELI for the in vitro culture of Cryptosporidium parvum”.

The research about the application of Hyaluronic Acid is based on the development of experimental models of arthrosis and the studies of improvement of arthrosic pathologies as a consequence of its intraarticular administration. In addition, backbone surgery models in rabbit have been developed, in order to study the potential differential antifibrotic effect of several Hyaluronic Acids of variable molecular weights. The change in the physicochemical properties of several Hyaluronic Acids in in vitro assays is simultaneously studied.

An additional line of research in the Unit has been developed from several years in collaboration with researchers of the Instituto de Sanidad Animal (INDEGSAL) of the University of Leon related to the activity of the transporters of the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) family. Their role as active transporters or efflux pumps through the plasma membrane of diverse compounds (such as endogen metabolites, drugs, xenotoxins and carcinogen agents) revealed their protective function due to their effect on the systemic exposure and tissue penetration of some of their substrates. These transporters also play a relevant role in the phenomenom of multidrug resistance to antitumoral drugs, and their induced expression decreases the entry of antitumoral drugs inside the cells, reducing the efficacy of some treatments.

METHODOLOGY

  • To obtain MSCs from the rabbit bone marrow and in vitro culture in static and dynamic conditions

  • To obtain the fractions of cartilage extracellular matrix

  • Generation of experimental models for the development of arthrosis in the rabbit and/or rat as a consequence of the breaking of the crossed ligament of the knee

  • Determination of apoptosis and necrosis of chondrocytes by flow cytometry and/or Tunnel method 

  • Quantification of nitrite and nitrate levels and properties of concentration and molecular weight of hyaluronic acid by HPLC

  • Study of drug in vitro inhibitory capacity of ABC transporters (ABCG2) with its relevance on the pharmacokinetics and excretion into milk of substrates.

  • In vitro characterization of substrates of the main ABC transporters in different localizations

TECHNOLOGICAL OFFER

 

1. Development of animal models for the in vivo study as complements of in vitro studies of viscoelastic substances

2. Advice and technology transfer to companies that commercialize with viscoelastic substances

3. Identification of drugs (human or veterinary therapeutics) as substrates or inhibitors of the ABC transporters 

 

 

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

  • Antioxidant profile of hyaluronan: physico-chemical features and its role in pathologies. G. Mendoza, J. G. Prieto, R. Rea, M. Pérez, G. Merino, A. I. Alvarez. Mini Reviews in  Medicinal Chemistry: 9, 1479-1488, 2009

  • Reevaluation of the roles of  ABCG2 in the disposition of genistein. A. I. Alvarez, F. Vallejo, B. Barrera, J. G. Prieto, F. Tomás Barberán, J. C. Espín. Drug Metabolism and Disposition: 40, 2219, 2012

  • The bovine ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 Tyr581Ser single-nucleotide polymorphism increases milksecretion of the fluoroquinolone danofloxacin. J. A. Otero, R. Real. A. de la Fuente J. G. Prieto, M. Marqués, A. I. Alvarez, G. Merino. Drug Metabolism and Disposition: 41, 546-549, 2013

CONTACT