Abstract:
A method for treatment of a neurodegenerative condition in a patient comprising implanting in the patient at least one immunoisolatory vehicle comprising a corc comprising a volume of at least 1 .mu.l and at least 10.sup.4 living cells which secrete at least one biologically active product, said cells being dispersed in a biocompatible matrix comprising a hydrogel or extracellular matrix components, and an external jacket surrounding the core, the jacket comprising a biocompatible hydrogel or thermoplastic, the jacket being free of cells projecting externally thereof, said jacket having a molecular weight cutoff permitting the passage of the biologically active product from the core through the jacket.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for controlling cell distribution within an implantable bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the bioartificial organ with extracellular matrix molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination. Cells can be transformed with a proliferation-promoting gene such as the oncogene, SV40, linked to a regulatable promoter such as the Mx1 promoter, the promotor is activated in vitro to express the gene to result in cell proliferation, and the promotor is inactivated before or after insertion of the cells in the bioartificial organ to inhibit expression of the gene to reduce or stop cell proliferation in vivo. The promoter can be reactivated in vivo to again express the gene to result in further cell proliferation. The gene may be a proliferation-suppressing gene such as p53 gene or RB gene, or a differentiation-inducing gene such as high mobility group chromosomal protein 14. Inhibiting gene expression in vitro causes cell proliferation, and inducing gene expression reduces or stops cell proliferation in vivo.
Abstract:
Immunoisolatory vehicles having a core and a surrounding jacket are disclosed, the core having a volume in excess of 1 .mu.l and at least about 10.sup.4 living cells capable of secreting a biologically active product or of providing a biological function to a patient, the cells dispersed in a biocompatible matrix formed of a hydrogel or an extracellular matrix component, and the external jacket being permselective, biocompatible and having a molecular weight cutoff permitting passage of molecules between the patient and the core through said jacket to provide said biological product or function.
Abstract:
Elongated seamless capsules containing biological material are prepared by a method in which a coagulant, which includes a cell suspension or other biological material, and a polymeric casting solution are extruded through a common extrusion port having at least two concentric bores, such that the coagulant is extruded through an inner bore and the polymeric casting solution is extruded through an outer bore. Extrusion of the coagulant is initiated subsequent to initiating delivery of the casting solution to form a capsule having a curved and smooth leading edge shape. Delivery of the coagulant is then shut off, and extrusion of the casting solution is terminated either immediately or after some predetermined time. This procedure can be modified to form in the capsule a coaxial rod that is connected to one end but not the other end of the capsule. This is accomplished by drawing casting solution into the inner bore after initiating extrusion of the casting solution through the outer bore, and then initiating delivery of the coagulant through the inner bore so as to coagulate the casting solution therein and form a rod, and ejecting the rod from the inner bore by pressure of the coagulant. Delivery of the coagulant and casting solution are then terminated as described above.
Abstract:
Devices and methods are disclosed to provide hybrid, modular systems for the constitutive delivery of appropriate dosages of active factor to a subject and, in some instances, to specific anatomical regions of the subject. The systems include a cell reservoir containing living cells capable of secreting an active agent, which is preferably adapted for implantation within the body of the subject and further includes at least one semipermeable membrane, whereby the transplanted cells can be nourished by nutrients transported across the membrane while at the same time protected from immunological, bacterial, and viral assault. The systems further include a pumping means, which can be implantable or extracorporeal, for drawing a body fluid from the subject into the cell reservoir and for actively transporting the secreted biological factors from the cell reservoir to a selected region of the subject.
Abstract:
Medical devices employing semipermeable materials, such as acrylic copolymers, polyurethane isocyanate, and other biocompatible semipermeable polymers, are disclosed for use as guidance channels in regenerating nerves. The devices can be formed by tubular semipermeable conduits adapted to receive the ends of a severed or damaged nerve. The tubular conduits define lumens through which axons can regenerate to restore motor and/or sensory functions. The guidance materials are chosen such that they are capable of allowing the diffusion of nutrients and other metabolites to the regenerating nerve site while excluding fibroblasts and other scar-forming cells. In particular, tubular channels which have a smooth inner surface and longitudinally oriented trabeculae result in significantly larger regenerated nerve cables and higher numbers of regenerated myelinated axons.
Abstract:
A bioartificial extracellular matrix for use in tissue regeneration or replacement is provided by derivatizing a three-dimensional hydrogel matrix with a cell adhesive extracellular matrix protein or cell adhesive peptide fragment of the protein. Preferably, derivatizing is by covalent immobilization of a cell adhesive peptide fragment having the amino acid sequence, ArgGlyAsp, TyrIleGlySerArg or IleLysValAlaVal. Cartilage or tendon can be regenerated by implanting a matrix containing an adhesive peptide fragment that favors chondrocyte invasion. The matrix can be pre-seeded with cells, and tissue can be reconstituted in vitro and then implanted. A cell-seeded matrix can be encapsulated in a semi-permeable membrane to form a bioartificial organ. An agarose hydrogel matrix having an agarose concentration of 0.5-1.25% (w/v) and an average pore radius between 120 nm and 290 nm is preferred. A nerve guidance channel for use in regenerating severed nerve is prepared containing a tubular semi-permeable membrane having openings adapted to receive ends of a severed nerve, and an inner lumen containing the hydrogel matrix having a bound cell adhesive peptide fragment through which the nerve can regenerate.
Abstract:
A method of forming an implantable and retrievable immunoisolatory vehicles is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of first forming a core comprising a volume of at least 1 .mu.l and at least 10.sup.4 cells capable of providing a biologically active product or metabolic or immunologic function, said cells being dispersed in a biocompatible hydrogel or extracellular matrix, and then forming around the core a surrounding external biocompatible thermoplastic or hydrogel jacket free of said cells projecting externally thereof, said jacket having molecular weight cutoff permitting passage of molecules to and from the core through said jacket to provide said biologically active product or function.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods and compositions of controlling cell distribution within a bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the BAO with ECM molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination.
Abstract:
This invention relates to implantation of encapsulated PC12 cells capable of slowing or preventing the degenerative processes of Parkinson's disease by releasing factors in addition to dopamine into individuals suffering from the disease. This restorative effect continues even after the encapsulated cells are removed from the patient's brain.