The establishment of advanced cell therapy for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency in the Czech Republic. KAPPA

This project aims at the development of a new type of LSCD treatment using advanced therapy medicinalproducts (ATMP). It is a direct continuation of a previous research project of the applicant realized also inthe frame of the Norwegian grants. The former project introduced cultivation of various ocular cells andincluded stemness characterization. In this proposal we aim to apply the acquired knowledge to the fulldevelopment of the methodology for cultivation of particular cell types: limbal epithelial cells (LECs), oralmucosa epithelial cells (OMEC) and hair follicle bulge-derived cells (HFSCs). These cells can be used forLSCD treatment, a pathology which is difficult to treat using other means. The research will involve i)determination of the best suitable support for cell growth, compatible with the legislation requirement onthe material for grafting; ii) search for optimal conditions for storage of these cell types; iii) establishsafety check procedures to determine the suitability of cells for transplantation; iv) develop the graftingtechnique and v) evaluate the healing effect via two clinical studies. All these aims can be successfullyrealized only via collaboration with several partners. Our Norwegian partners (aim of the call) possess theknowledge and experience that is complementary to the lead applicant and will strongly contribute toparticular parts of the research project. At the end of the project a handout containing the completeprocedure (cell cultivation, characterization, storage, application) will be ready, allowing its introductioninto clinical practice and thus opening an avenue to a new type of treatment (aim of the call). This willstrengthen the position and competitiveness of Czech Republic in the field of eye regenerative medicine asit will become a unique center in the Europe possessing this type of specialist knowledge. All these factsmark the present proposal as a very good fit with the prerequisites of the call.