The Empty Nose syndrome, investigations propaedeutic to in vivo studies – Progetti di Ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) 2022

The Empty Nose syndrome, investigations propaedeutic to in vivo studies – Progetti di Ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) 2022

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS) is a severe rhinological disorder affecting approximately 20% of patients undergoing total or subtotal turbinectomy. ENS is characterized by a paradoxical sensation of nasal obstruction and suffocation, caused by disrupted nasal aerodynamics, loss of mucosal tissue, and the reduction of sensory, tactile, and thermal receptors—factors that significantly impair nasal physiology. ENS is also strongly associated with anxiety, depression (in over 50% of patients), sleep disturbances, and a high suicide rate, all contributing to a profound decrease in quality of life. Currently, non-curative treatment exists—only palliative, non-resolutive therapies are available.

Project Objectives

This project aims to develop a novel therapeutic approach based on the creation of a fully autologous pseudo-turbinate, composed of a clinically validated tissue-engineered nasal cartilage graft (N-TEC) covered by a functional respiratory epithelium. By employing advanced single-cell transcriptomic techniques, the project seeks to identify the molecular fingerprint of airway epithelial stem cells and to study the interactions between the engineered cartilage and epithelial tissue. The ultimate goal is to regenerate a fully functional, three-dimensional human nasal turbinate.

The project benefits from the multidisciplinary research team’s extensive expertise in cell therapy, tissue engineering, and the translational application of regenerative medicine strategies.