ActiHeal: Eigencell therapy for accelerated healing of chronic wounds

Adipose tissue contains stem cells and special messenger substances that have a positive effect on the healing of various diseases and wounds. Initial studies show that they effectively contribute to faster healing of chronic wounds.

In the "ActiHeal" project funded by the Technology Consulting Institute (TBI), a novel method is being developed to activate the regeneratively effective cells and prepare them for clinical application. In this process, the body's own cells (plus the messenger substances released) are to be applied to wounds and thus contribute to accelerated wound closure. Since enzymatic cell isolation is associated with higher costs and possible safety concerns, and in some cases has reduced efficacy, non-enzymatic isolation is preferred here.

For this purpose, scientists of the KDK together with the Human Med AG and the University of Rostock are developing a device which will be used for the enzyme-free isolation of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and ultimately for the enrichment of the regeneratively effective cells contained therein from autologous adipose tissue. In stromal vascular fraction (SVF), adipose tissue removed from the human body by liposuction is treated with ultrasound to separate stem cells and other growth cells.

A particular challenge is to test the newly developed, innovative isolation and application process in a single-handed manner and without substantial processing of the cells in clinical applications. In one step, the cells are isolated, purified and administered back to the patient without leaving the operating room.

In addition, combined plasma modulation of these cells will be investigated. By using regenerative cells in combination with an appropriately adapted plasma treatment of the extracted endogenous SVF, the advantages of the two technologies are to be exploited even better, and coordinated accordingly. First, cold plasma will support the isolation of regenerative cells from the liposuctioned adipose tissue. Furthermore, it is to be tested whether a treatment with cold plasma can also stimulate the extracted cells. In this context, INP researchers can draw on their many years of experience in the use of cold plasmas. Cold plasmas are energy-charged gases in an excited state that have already proven their effectiveness and tolerability in the treatment of chronic wounds.