Smart, Selective and Innovative Composite Membrane containing a combination of colloidal nanoparticles and prebiotics applied to the Healing Abutments against inflammation

PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR)

Missione 4 - Componente 2 - Investimento 1.1

“Fondo per il Programma Nazionale della Ricerca (PNR) e Progetti di Ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN)” - Finanziato dall’Unione europea – NextGenerationEU

Bando PRIN 2022

D.D. n. 104 del 02.02.2022

Progetto “Smart, Selective and Innovative Composite Membrane containing a combination of colloidal nanoparticles and prebiotics applied to the Healing Abutments against inflammation (SSICMHA)”

Acronimo: SSICMHA

Codice Identificativo Progetto: 2022MKE4AF- CUP: D53D23011900006

The bacterial colonization of the implant/abutment interface which leads to marginal bone loss and peri- implantitis is a huge problem for clinicians and patients. To avoid bacterial colonization, several treatment strategies have been proposed, including the use of antibiotics with potential cytotoxicity, impaired osteogenic activity, and significant bacterial resistance. In addition, an important economic and social burden, with high management costs both for patients’ wellness and implantation must be considered. From this scenario, the need to find new therapeutic approaches for the management of peri-implant diseases as well as to reduce their onset. The proposal of the SSICMHA has the final objective to design and develop a healing screw combined with a composite membrane enriched with lipid nanoparticles, prebiotics, anti-inflammatory molecules, and natural biopolymers, which define a Smart, Selective, and Innovative system to reduce and/o eliminate inflammation mediated by pathogenic periodontal bacteria. With the achievement of this goal, the project will lead to a significant improvement in terms of reduction of antibiotic resistance, costs for the NHS in patients’ management, and improvement in the quality of life. To achieve these objectives, the project is divided into three main WP each necessary for the development of the innovative medical device and to provide revolutionary aspects in research in the field of implantology. In WP1, the molecules to be loaded into the hybrid membrane, previously developed by our working group, will be selected. Biopolymers like Hyaluronic Acid, Chitosan, Poly-(L-Lactide), N-acetyl-D- mannosamine and beta methyl-D-galactoside as prebiotics will be evaluated in a co-culture model involving human gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts. Each component will be tested to define anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, for different times and concentrations, and combinations to identify the best mixture to load on the hybrid membrane. Consequently, in the WP2 the hybrid membrane will be synthesized and characterized, the components to be loaded will be prepared and their stability and release membrane capacity verified, up to application on the titanium healing screw. In WP3, studies will be carried out to validate the possibility of applying the SSCHIMA device. In vitro studies on the effects of components embedded in the membrane and applied to the gingiva former will be analyzed in the in vitro model of oral cavity cells. This will allow characterizing the morphological, chemical, and biological behavior of the cells mainly representative of the oral cavity, in the presence of the device. The achievement of the expected results is certainly very ambitious and of great impact on the care of dental patients. The three Research Units have all the structures and skills to complete the objectives set within 24 months and disseminate the results in the scientific world and beyond.