Cell scaffold matrices with image contrast agents

• US 20060204445A1
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wake Forest University, Wake Forest University Health Sciences
• Original Assignee: Wake Forest University
• Inventors: Atala, Anthony, Soker, Shay, Yoo, James, Stitzel, Joel, Czerw, Richard, Lim, Grace
• Application Number:
  US11/083,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20060204445A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/9.360
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0042 Photocleavage of drugs in vivo, e.g. cleavage of photolabile linkers in vivo by UV radiation for releasing the pharmacologically-active agent from the administered agent; photothrombosis or photoocclusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6923 the form being an inorganic particle, e.g. ceramic particles, silica particles, ferrite or synsorb
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/18 characterised by a special physical form, e.g. emulsions, microcapsules, liposomes
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/44 Radioisotopes, radionuclides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/047 Other specific metals or alloys not covered by A61L27/042 - A61L27/045 or A61L27/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/26 Mixtures of macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/50 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/507 for artificial blood vessels apparatus for applying cells on a blood vessel prosthesis A61F2/062
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 89/06 derived from leather or skin , e.g. gelatin

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods and compositions for monitoring remodeling of an artificial tissue construct using image or contrast enhancing agents. The invention allows the growth, development, and remodeling of the artificial tissue to be monitored.

Claims

1. A matrix having a three-dimensional ultrastructure of interconnected fibers and pores to permit cell attachment and further comprising an image enhancing agent.

2. The matrix of claim 1, wherein the image enhancing agent is selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, cerium, samarium, terbium, erbium, lutetium, scandium, barium, bismuth, cerium, dysprosium, europium, hafnium, indium, lanthanum, neodymium, niobium, praseodymium, strontium, tantalum, ytterbium, yttrium, and zirconium.

3. The matrix of claim 1, wherein the image enhancing agent is gadolinium.

4. The matrix of claim 1, wherein the matrix further comprises collagen.

5. The matrix of claim 4, wherein the collagen is selected from the group consisting of collagen I, collagen II, collagen III, collagen IV, collagen V, collagen VI, collagen VII, collagen VIII, collagen IX, and collagen X.

6. The matrix of claim 1, wherein the matrix further comprises elastin.

7. The matrix of claim 1, wherein the matrix further comprises a synthetic polymer.

8. The matrix of claim 7, wherein the synthetic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid) polymers, poly(glycolic acid) polymers, poly(lactide-co-glycolides) (PLGA), poly(urethanes), poly(siloxanes) or silicones, poly(ethylene), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate), poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl acetate), polyacrylamide, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(methacrylic acid), polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acids (PGA), nylons, polyamides, polyanhydrides, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH), polycaprolactone, poly(vinyl acetate), polyvinylhydroxide, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and polyorthoesters or a co-polymer formed from at least two members of the group.

9. The matrix of claim 7, wherein the synthetic polymer comprises poly(lactide-co-glycolides) (PLGA).

10. The matrix of claim 1, further comprising at least one natural component and at least one synthetic polymer component.

11. The matrix of claim 1, wherein the image enhancing agent is added by reacting the surface of the matrix in the image enhancing agent.

12. A method of monitoring the remodeling of an artificial tissue construct, comprising:

providing a matrix having a three-dimensional ultrastructure of interconnected fibers and pores seeded with cells and further comprising an image enhancing agent;

implanting the matrix with the image enhancing agent to a target site; and

detecting a signal arising from the image enhancing agent at the time of implantation, and

detecting the signal arising from the image enhancing agent at the time after implantation, wherein a change in the signal allows the remodeling of the artificial tissue construct to be monitored.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the image enhancing agent is selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, cerium, samarium, terbium, erbium, lutetium, scandium, barium, bismuth, cerium, dysprosium, europium, hafnium, indium, lanthanum, neodymium, niobium, praseodymium, strontium, tantalum, ytterbium, yttrium, and zirconium.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the image enhancing agent is gadolinium.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of detecting the signal comprises detecting the signal using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

13. The method of 12, wherein the matrix is selected from the group consisting of an electrospun matrix, a decellularized matrix, and a synthetic polymer matrix.