Speaker
Description
Biliary complications, such as post-operative biliary strictures, pose serious health risks and place a significant burden on healthcare systems. Conventional treatments, including plastic stents, require frequent replacement, while self-expanding metal stents, despite longer patency, carry risks such as migration and tissue ingrowth. Biodegradable scaffolds offer a promising alternative due to their natural degradation in vivo; however, precisely aligning their degradation rate with tissue regeneration remains a critical challenge. Furthermore, replicating the complex biological and mechanical properties of the native bile duct is essential for functional success.
We recently developed a novel multiphasic tubular scaffold designed to closely replicate the size and function of the human common bile duct. Made of two biocompatible biomaterials and seeded with biliary epithelial cells, the construct demonstrated excellent homogeneity, stability, mechanical strength, suturability, and leak-proof properties. Its ability to transport and modify bile acids highlights its functional maturity and suitability for in vivo applications. As an initial validation, ex vivo human blood assays of the acellular scaffold revealed a favorable immune response characterized by limited inflammation and sustained release of epidermal growth factor—supporting its potential to promote regeneration.
Ongoing work aims to enhance the biliary epithelial component and integrate additional cell types to further improve physiological relevance. In this context, we present preliminary findings on self-organizing biliary organoids composed of epithelial, mesenchymal stromal, and endothelial cells.