In July, we reported on Dr. Farshid Guilak’sremarkable breakthrough in orthopedic and osteoarthritis research. That research found a way to grow new cartilage on a hip joint shaped scaffold, using stem cells. His current Arthritis Foundation-funded project, “Engineering New Biologic Therapies for Arthritis,” is just as trailblazing.
Dr. Guilak is working on an “arthritis vaccine.” It’s a way to deliver customized drug treatment and cell repair through the use of a biologic product.
His current research has created smart stem cells. “Stem cells don’t target specific areas,” said Dr. Guilak. “We are (genetically) reprogramming stem cells to do what we want them to.”
According to Dr. Guilak, the genetically created smart stem cells identify inflamed cells. Once the inflamed cells are identified, the smart stem cells incorporate themselves, not only to repair damaged cartilage, but also to produce and deliver specific therapeutic drugs to stop the inflammation. The smart stem cells are programmed to be active only when and where inflammation is present.
他解释说，这种应用目前是针对类风湿关节炎(RA)等炎症性疾病，使用智能干细胞的优势在于，它们可以单独设计，提供适量的治疗，而不是持续、长期地暴露在非常强的抗炎药物中。吉拉克博士表示，智能干细胞可以在停止炎症的同时修复受损细胞。对于这项技术的下一步，吉拉克博士希望在智能干细胞的坐骨神经和JIA应用方面进行研究。“这些疾病的炎症过程与风湿性关节炎不同，”他解释说。“所以我们需要调整程序。”
Highly committed to the arthritis community and finding cures, in his spare time Dr. Guilak enjoys taking part in the foundation’sJingle Bell Run. His team has won awards for fundraising and best team costumes in the past. A big Star Wars fan, last year he and his team took on a Star Wars theme. His humor and dedication were obvious when he played “Darth-ritis” at last year’s event!
Dr. Guilak and his team have also taken part in some of ourJuvenile Arthritis conferencesby teaching sessions to explain arthritis and the importance of research. They had kids of all ages use gels to create cartilage for a hands-on understanding of how things work. His team also used “Cure E. Us” the mouse to explain lab research.
Dr. Guilak is a professor at Washington University Department of Orthopedic Surgery and is Director of Research for Shriners Hospitals for Children in St. Louis. He is also the co-director of the Washington University Center of Regenerative Medicine and has appointments in the Departments of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Engineering.
We thank Dr. Guilak and all of our researchers for the amazing, innovative and truly inspiring work that they do day in and day out. To read more about our researchers, check out these past articles:
- Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Markus Wimmer
- Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Herb Sun
- Researchers on the Path to a Cure – Spotlight on Dr. Hongsik J. Cho
I am interested in Dr. Farshid Guilak research program. I am delaying getting a total knee replacement. Hopefully in the near future he maybe able to help me.
最后。我一直在和我的风湿病医生讨论类似的治疗方法。吉拉克医生，谢谢你的希望。
I suffer from RA in both hands and knees. This is such inspiring news. I recently visited Panama and met two people who talked to me about about stem cell treatment and suggested I consider it. Neither of them had RA, but suffered from back and or knee pain. At 61, I hope some day I can have a pain free life.
This is amazing! My grandmother had RA, my mother has RA & Lupus, I have RA, and my daughter has RA & Wegner’s Vassculitis GPA. We are interested in this research and would love to be a part of human trials or be willing to give blood samples etc that could contribute to furthering this research.
Who can sign up to join this research and what is the criteria
How do you join this research study and what is the criteria
How do I become part of a trial?
How can I volunteer for a study?
I used to do physical exercises and fell heavily and every evening felt feverish. Now have deep dull pain stiffness in the whole of my backbone. Experience pain in fingers of and on.Hearing about possible treatment is great news.
Dr.Guilak’s discovery is wonderful. Does anyone know of a clinic that can insert his living cartilage into my hip. I am experiencing great pain. My brother had the hip replacement procedure and it has given him endless problems.