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	Campbell research projects
	Campbell-06 Annual Report
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	Contact Julie Campbell
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The Campbell Group’s current major research interest is tissue engineering of replacement organs from the patient’s own cells using the peritoneal cavity as a bioreactor.

Myofibroblast tissue has been grown around appropriately shaped polyethylene moulds of tubes or bulbs in the peritoneal cavity of several animal species. This takes 2-3 weeks. When grafted into arteries, bladder, vas deferens or uterus to replace resected segments, the myofibroblast tissue differentiates into structures identical to the host organ, remaining patent and functional for at least 16 months.

Studies are also determining the origin of the cells that constitute the myofibroblast capsule, as well as the factors influencing their differentiation. Techniques used include fluorescence-activated cell sorting, microarray technology and bioinformatics. This information will be used to maximize growth tissue growth and optimize its characteristics.

In collaboration with Professor Justin Cooper-White and his team Professor Campbell’s Group is also developing an artificial knee meniscus by populating a novel scaffold with mesenchymal stem cells and differentiating them along different cellular pathways according to function.

In addition, the Group is aiming to grow functional kidneys through the incorporation of ‘stem’ cells into embryonic kidneys transplanted to the peritoneal cavity of adult hosts.

Other research involves basic cellular interactions in the artery wall, and the definition of signal transduction pathways through which factors act to enhance vascular disease regression and prevent disease development / progression. A long-term interest of the Centre is also smooth muscle phenotype and factors affecting the cells’ sub-structural compartments.

Research Projects

• Do stem cells exist in the peritoneal cavity? If so, how can we use them in regenerative medicine? – Using myeloid cells to produce autologous grafts for smooth muscle-walled organs.
• Myofibroblasts - their origin and role in wound healing. – What stimulates cells to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts?
• Peritoneal dialysis and peritoneal sclerosis – determining the source of cells that lead to fibrosis an adhesions. 
• Tissue engineering of blood vessels – using the peritoneal cavity as a bioreactor to grow vascular grafts. VasCam Pty Ltd.
• Tissue engineering the meniscus – combining novel biomimetic hybrid scaffolds with adult stem cells.

Key Publications (Top 10 Last 5 years)

1. Rolfe BE, Stamatiou S, World CJ, Brown L, Thomas AC, Bingley JA, Worth NF and Campbell JH (2003) Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor retards the progression of atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 58:222-230. 
2. Francis DJ, Parish CR, McGarry M, Santiago FS, Lowe HC, Brown KJ, Bingley J, Hayward IP, Cowden WB, Campbell JH, Campbell GR, Chesterman CN, Khachigian LM. (2003) Blockade of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and intimal thickening after balloon injury by the sulfated oligosaccharide PI-88: phosphomannopentaose sulfate directly binds FGF-2, blocks cellular signaling and inhibits proliferation. Circ Res 92: e70-e77. 
3. Tailford KA, Berry CL, Thomas AC and Campbell JH. (2003) A casein variant in cow’s milk is atherogenic. Atherosclerosis 170:13-19. 
4. Chue W-L, Campbell GR, Caplice N, Muhammed A, Berry CL, Thomas AC, and Campbell JH. (2004) The dog peritoneal and pleural cavities as bioreactors to grow autologous artificial blood vessels. J Vasc Surg 39:859-867. 
5. Thomas AC, Campbell JH (2004) Targeted delivery of heparin and LMWH using a fibrin antibody prevents restenosis. Atherosclerosis 176:73-81. 
6. Worth NF, Campbell GR, Campbell JH, Rolfe BE. (2004) Rho expression and activation in vascular smooth muscle cells. Cell Motil Cytoskel 59:189-200. 
7. Thomas AC and Campbell JH. (2004) Conjugation of an antibody to cross-linked fibrin for targeted delivery of anti-restenotic drugs. J Cont Rel 100:357-377.
8.  Worth NF, Berry CL, Thomas AC and Campbell JH. (2005) S18886, a selective TP receptor antagonist, inhibits development of atherosclerosis in rabbits. Atherosclerosis 183: 65-73.
9. Armstrong SR, Campbell GR, Campbell JH, Little MH. (2005) Establishment of metanephros transplantation in mice highlights contributions by both nephrectomy and pregnancy to developmental progression. Nephron, Exp Nephrol 101:155-164. 
10. Knoner G, Rolfe BE, Campbell JH, Parkin SJ, Heckenberg NR , Rubinstein-Dunlop H. (2006) Mechanics of cellular adhesion to artificial artery templates. Biophys. J. 91:3085-96.