Russian scientists have developed and implanted a bioequivalent ureter in a pig.

Scientists at the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Sechenov University have developed a tissue-engineered bio-equivalent for ureter reconstruction, which has been successfully implanted in a pig. Research in this area is paving the way for new possibilities in regenerative medicine, enabling the use of more effective and less invasive treatment methods for injuries to the urinary tract and other organs.

2025-01-21 10:02:01https://naked-science.ru/article/column/svine-bioekvivalent-moche

The project is supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation. Injuries or inflammations of the urinary tract often lead to their narrowing, which hinders the normal flow of urine and causes painful sensations. Traditional treatment methods involve using the patient's own tissues, such as buccal or intestinal mucosa, to replace damaged areas. However, such procedures can be traumatic and are not always effective.

Researchers have developed a specialized supporting membrane based on collagen that mimics the shape of the ureter. This membrane temporarily takes over the functions of the damaged part of the organ and serves as a substrate for applying bioink that contains spheroids—“balls” made from the patient’s own cells. The spheroids release a cocktail of anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating factors, and biologically active substances, stimulating the regeneration of the ureter. As the collagen membrane is absorbed, it is replaced by new, healthy tissue.

Scientists implanted a bioequivalent into a pig with chronic ureter damage. The implant successfully integrated and initiated tissue regeneration. Researchers are currently monitoring the animal to determine how long complete recovery will take.

“We are working on a platform technology that will enable the restoration of flat epithelial tissues—skin, mucous membranes. A bioequivalent of the eardrum is ready for clinical application, while the bioequivalent of the ureter is undergoing animal testing, and we are seeing promising results,” said project leader, scientific supervisor of the NTPB at Sechenov University, Petr Timashev.

Clinical trials of the bioequivalent for the urinary tract are scheduled for 2026. After these trials, ureter reconstruction using tissue engineering technologies will be available to patients at the Sechenov University Clinical Center.

Currently, Sechenov University is in the final stages of obtaining a license for the production of biomedical cell products. By 2025, patients can expect therapies using ready-to-use bioequivalents of the eardrum and vocal cords in clinical practice.