Three-dimensional skin cell and tissue culture system
First Claim
1. A method for transplantation or implantation of a three-dimensional skin cell culture comprising implanting a culture of melanocyte and keratinocyte cells cultured on a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro, said living stromal tissue comprising stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells so that a tissue equivalent is formed.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional cell culture system which can be used to culture a variety of different cells and tissues in vitro for prolonged periods of time. In accordance with the invention, cells derived from a desired tissue are inoculated and grown on a pre-established stromal support matrix. The stromal support matrix comprises stromal cells, such as fibroblasts actively growing on a three-dimensional matrix. Stromal cells may also include other cells found in loose connective tissue such as endothelial cells, macrophages/monocytes, adipocytes, pericytes, reticular cells found in bone marrow stroma, etc. The stromal matrix provides the support, growth factors, and regulatory factors necessary to sustain long-term active proliferation of cells in culture. When grown in this three-dimensional system, the proliferating cells mature and segregate properly to form components of adult tissues analogous to counterparts found in vivo.
112 Citations
37 Claims
- 1. A method for transplantation or implantation of a three-dimensional skin cell culture comprising implanting a culture of melanocyte and keratinocyte cells cultured on a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro, said living stromal tissue comprising stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells so that a tissue equivalent is formed.
- 8. A method for transplantation or implantation of a three-dimensional culture comprising implanting in vivo melanocytes and keratinocytes cultured on a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro, said living stromal tissue comprising confluent stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells so that a tissue equivalent is formed.
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18. A method for determining the effect of a drug on melanocyte and keratinocyte cells in culture comprising:
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(a) exposing a three-dimensional skin cell culture to the drug, in which the three-dimensional skin cell culture comprises melanocyte and keratinocyte cells grown on a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro, said living stromal tissue comprising stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells; and (b) determining the effect of the drug on the melanocyte and keratinocyte cells in culture. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for studying the mechanisms of a disease or condition in a patient, which disease or condition has a detectable affect on melanocyte and keratinocyte cells in culture, comprising:
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(a) inoculating melanocyte and keratinocyte cells obtained from the patient onto a living stromal tissue prepared in vitro, said living stromal tissue comprising stromal cells and connective tissue proteins naturally secreted by the stromal cells attached to and substantially enveloping a framework composed of a biocompatible, non-living material formed into a three-dimensional structure having interstitial spaces bridged by the stromal cells; (b) incubating the inoculated living stromal tissue in a nutrient medium so that the inoculated melanocyte and keratinocyte cells proliferate in culture; and (c) analyzing the proliferated cells in culture for markers of the disease or condition. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification