Development of Cell-based Therapies for IBD

The cell therapy for IBD has been in the making in recent years. It is mainly to replace irritated cells, to repair the skin and prevent inflammation. The most researched cell therapy for IBD was stem-cell therapy, which lowered mucosal inflammation through immunomodulation, colonisation and repair. A trial of stem cell transplantation has shown promise for the treatment of refractory IBD, and in many patients sustained remission for years. But stem cell therapy is a new research frontier and safety and efficacy must be further evaluated.

Fig. 1. Cell-based therapies in IBD. (Cassinotti, et al., 2021)

Our Cell-based Therapy Development Services

Ace Therapeutics has decades of IBD experience, and many successful cell therapy development programs from early stage research to preclinical development. We have cell biologists and immunologists in-house who culture, differentiate and test cells for quality cellular product and cell therapy for IBD.

We know that no two projects are exactly the same, so our multi-functional integrated team can provide solutions tailored to your needs.

Cell Types

• Stem cells: Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and mesenchyme stem cells (MSCs)
• Immune cells: T regulatory cells (Tregs) and tolerogenic dendritic cells (Tol-DCs)

Cell Isolation and Characterization

Thorough isolation and characterization of cells is essential before starting preclinical studies of cell-based therapies for IBD. We assist our clients in isolating the desired cells from multiple samples. In addition, Ace Therapeutics offers an efficient large-scale cell culture platform to ensure the quality and consistency of the cells used in the study. We perform a wide range of cell characterization assays, including surface marker analysis, differentiation potential assessment and quality control measures to confirm the identity and function of the cells.

Preconditioned Cells

We offer a variety of strategies to augment the therapeutic influences of cells, including hypoxia, incubation with pharmacological/chemical agents or biomolecules (e.g., trophic factors and cytokines), pre-conditioning with physical factors, and finally genetic engineering. These strategies allow us to help our clients enhance the proliferation, secretion, migration and differentiation of cells to provide more favored outcomes in vivo post-transplantation.

Preclinical Evaluation of Cell-based Therapy in IBD

We focus on the transplantation of stem cells and immune cells in preclinical models of IBD to elucidate the affiliated mechanism behind the observed in vivo desired effects

• Evaluating different routes of administration (e.g., intravenous, intraperitoneal) to determine the most effective method of therapeutic delivery.
• Monitoring weight loss, stool consistency, and overall health.
• Tissue samples are analyzed for inflammation, immune cell infiltration and tissue damage.
• Measurement of inflammatory cytokines and other relevant biomarkers in serum and tissue.
• Assessment of potential side effects and long-term safety of the treatment.
• Evaluating the immune response induced by the administered cells to ensure that they are well tolerated.

By combining our extensive experience, dedicated team and advanced experimental techniques, Ace Therapeutics is committed to developing cell-based therapies for IBD. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your IBD research program.