Development and application of 3D human skin equivalent to investigate the impact of nanostructured lipid carriers coencapsulated with simvastatin and adenosine on chronic wound healing

• Grant number: 24/08941-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - General Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Biagini Lopes
• Grantee: Regina Gomes Daré
• Supervisor: Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université de Fribourg, Switzerland
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/12876-7 - Study of pectin-chitosan systems enriched with nanostructured lipid carriers for the delivery of nisin, simvastatin and adenosine aiming the treatment of skin ulcers, BP.PD

Abstract

The skin, being the largest organ of the body, plays a critical role in protecting against external insults and regulating various physiological processes such as temperature maintenance and sensory perception. Comprising the epidermis and dermis, it orchestrates a complex interplay of cellular interactions to ensure its integrity and overall health. However, chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, present a significant clinical challenge due to impaired healing processes. Traditional wound healing research, relying on animal models, has limitations in accurately reflecting human physiology. Hence, the development of 3D human skin equivalent (HSE) models has emerged to address these gaps. This project proposes the investigation of a nanostructured lipid carrier system encapsulating simvastatin and adenosine (NLC-S/A) for promoting wound healing using HSE models. Through the development of healthy and diabetic HSE models, the project aims to evaluate the effects of NLC-S/A on wound closure rates, tissue viability, histological features, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress modulation and nanoparticle interactions. The utilization of advanced techniques and expertise within the Bionanomaterials Group at the University of Fribourg will ensure a comprehensive exploration of the therapeutic potential of NLC-S/A in a 3D in vitro model. Additionally, this project will contribute to the advancement of wound management strategies, with implications for future clinical translation.