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Healthy Ageing
Life expectancy is increasing in Hong Kong, as in other developed societies. With that comes new health challenges. As people age they are vulnerable to chronic disease from organ or tissue degeneration. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and the care-related issues they raise, also become more prominent.
Scholars from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Social Sciences are working together to address these issues. Their focus is on two promising areas: tissue regeneration from human stem cells and new biomarkers and treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Tissue regeneration
HKU has established experience in stem cell research. Our researchers pioneered the use of human bone marrow stem cells for treatment of heart disease, for example. They were also the first to use cell-based conduits to bridge severed spinal cords and thus enhance nerve regeneration. And they pioneered the concept of functional jaw reconstruction for dental implants, where tissue regeneration has much potential.
That experience will be extended under the Healthy Ageing research theme to address wider issues of regenerative medicine.
"Despite advances in medical and surgical therapies, a large number of patients with degenerative disease remain severely symptomatic with poor clinical outcomes," said Professor K.S.L. Lam of the Department of Medicine and convenor of the Healthy Ageing research theme.
"Regenerative medicine is about using the body’s own stem cells and growth factors to repair, replace and enhance organs, tissues and cells. It has the potential to change the face of human diseases."
HKU scholars are studying the potential therapeutic use of different types of human stem cells. For instance, they are differentiating a variety of cell types, such as jawbone, nerve or heart muscle, from human mesenchymal stem cells. These cells have been shown to be effective in repairing bone and cartilage and improving heart function in cardiovascular diseases. Their application requires further investigation into how they might be applied to patients.
Cardiac regeneration: The sourcing of stem cells is an important issue in tissue regeneration. Could some be better than others in treating different diseases? Researchers will look at the efficiency of tissue cells derived from different sources of mesenchymal stem cells in heart repair.
Neuronal regeneration: The target here is disorders of the central nervous system. The therapeutic potential of nerve tissue derived from different types of human stem cells will be tested in different animal models of diseases. "Scaffolding" to guide nerves as they regenerate will also be investigated. It will be important to have a degradable material.
Atrophic jaw regeneration: Dental implants can be restricted by the volume and quality of existing bone. Mesenchymal-derived stem cells offer promise of bone regeneration. Researchers will look into the possibility of harvesting, enriching and applying these cells from the patients in the operating room, a one-stop process that could save time and money and reduce the risk of contamination.
HKU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Network
Alzheimer’s disease is related to ageing and its incidence is expected to increase tremendously as Hong Kong’s population grows older. One in four people will be over 60 years old by 2020.
"There is a pressing need for good diagnostic methods and better treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias," said Dr L.W. Chu, Chairman of the HKU Alzheimer’s Disease Network.
The network investigates all aspects of the disease, from the laboratory to the hospital and home. Funding has been secured for related research, including clinical trials sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. However, there are still many aspects of the disease and its effect on quality of life that need further study.
Several projects are proposed under the Healthy Ageing research theme to look at new diagnostic biomarkers and treatment for the disease. The role of sex hormones is of particular interest.
HKU researchers recently demonstrated a close correlation between testosterone levels and the progression of dementia in men, such that the hormone may have neuroprotective effects. This will be looked at further, including whether testosterone could be a biological marker for the disease and why it seems to offer protection.
The care of Alzheimer’s patients will also be studied. One patient typically requires two nurses over 10–20 years. Researchers will investigate the psychological well-being, cognitive and motor functioning, and daily functioning of patients, and the relationship between the rate of disease progression and care requirements. The burden on caregivers and their well-being will also be explored.
