Biofabrication of a cellularized and by the AV-loop vascularized tissue con-tainer for the transplantation of cells producing therapeutic proteins (C04)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology ; Biomaterials ; Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 326998133

Targeted therapies using antibodies or recombinant proteins can be highly effective in the treatment of tumors or autoimmune diseases. This project aims to develop a vascularized, transplantable tissue container for the long-term in vivo production of therapeutic proteins by genetically modified 3D printed HEK293 cells. A functional prototype using a spider silk/collagen matrix was established in rats, with successful protein detection in blood and urine. The therapeutic potential will be tested using a breast cancer xenograft rat model, with cells producing a TRAILR2 agonist. Efforts will also focus on improving vessel formation and thus performance, in particular by targeting the pro-angiogenic receptor Fn14.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 225: From the Fundamentals of Biofabrication towards Functional Tissue Models
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Raymund E. Horch, until 12/2025; Dr. Theresa Promny, since 1/2026; Professor Dr. Harald Günther Wajant