Transplant-targeted immunomodulative therapy for face transplantation

• Applicant: Dr. Ali-Farid Safi
• Subject Area: Dentistry, Oral Surgery
• Term: from 2018 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 411093511

Facial vascularized composite allografts (VCA) (face transplantation) constitute one of the most promising developments for functional and aesthetic reconstruction of extensive craniomaxillofacial defects. Technical advances and increasing knowledge about the immune system have just recently, over the course of the last decade, allowed the successful implementation of such a delicate reconstructive transplant procedure. However, limited knowledge of molecular mechanisms, which drive donor responsiveness and allograft tolerance prevail. The necessity of life-long multidrug immunosuppression for graft preservation partially negates the positive and promising results of facial VCAs. The recipient is at immediate risk for transplant failure, organ failure, and is exposed to a constant threat of opportunistic infectious- and malignant neoplastic diseases. The investigation of local facial VCA-recipient immunosuppression is little explored and must be further investigated. Therefore, we intend to establish a full facial heterotopic VCA-transplant model (including bone, oral mucosa, tooth and the tongue) in the rat. This model is intended to facilitate and improve the conditions for investigation of novel strategies for recipient immunosuppression as well as to gather knowledge about rejection mechanisms of full facial VCAs.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Bohdan Pomahac