Method for transplanting cells into the brain and therapeutic uses therefor
First Claim
1. A method for providing a neurally-active molecule to a mammal comprisingintroducing a multiplicity of supports containing an effective number of viable cells adhered to surfaces of the supports, wherein:
- (a) the introduction is into the mammal'"'"'s brain or spinal cord;
(b) the supports are comprised of a matrix material and have diameters greater than 10 μ
m; and
(c) said cells provide said neurally active molecule for at least two months after said administration.
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Abstract
A method for grafting a cell in the brain of a mammalian subject is accomplished by attaching the cell to a support matrix so that the cell attaches to the matrix surface, and implanting the support matrix with the attached cell into the brain. Preferred support matrices are glass or plastic microbeads, either solid or porous, having a diameter from about 90 to about 125 μm. The method employs cells of different types, preferably cells of neural or paraneural origin, such as adrenal chromaffin cells. Also useful are cell lines grown in vitro. Cells not of neural or paraneural origin, such as fibroblasts, may also be used following genetic alteration to express a desired neural product such as a neurotransmitter or a neuronal growth factor. The method is used to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson'"'"'s disease, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, Huntington'"'"'s disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.
94 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A method for providing a neurally-active molecule to a mammal comprising
introducing a multiplicity of supports containing an effective number of viable cells adhered to surfaces of the supports, wherein: -
(a) the introduction is into the mammal'"'"'s brain or spinal cord; (b) the supports are comprised of a matrix material and have diameters greater than 10 μ
m; and(c) said cells provide said neurally active molecule for at least two months after said administration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for providing dopamine to a mammal comprising injecting a multiplicity of supports containing an effective number of viable cells adhered to surfaces of the supports, wherein:
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(a) the introducing is into the mammal'"'"'s brain or spinal cord; (b) the supports are comprised of a matrix material and have diameters greater than 10 μ
m; and(c) said cells are derived from adrenal medulla tissue and secrete dopamine. - View Dependent Claims (17, 19)
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18. A method for providing dopamine to a mammal comprising:
injecting a multiplicity of supports containing an effective number of viable cells adhered to surfaces of the supports, wherein; (a) the injecting is into the mammal'"'"'s brain or spinal cord; (b) the supports are comprised of a matrix material and have diameters greater than 10 μ
m; and(c) said cells are retinal pigment epithelial cells and secrete dopamine.
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20. A method of transplanting cells into a mammal having a disease or dysfunction responsive to a neurally-active molecule, comprising introducing a multiplicity of supports containing an effective number of viable cells that secrete said neurally active molecule adhered to surfaces of the supports, wherein:
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(a) the introducing is into the mammal'"'"'s brain or spinal cord; (b) the supports are comprised of a matrix material and have diameters greater than 10 μ
m; and(c) said cells survive for at least two months after said introduction. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for providing a neurally-active molecule to a mammal comprising introducing a multiplicity of supports containing an effective number of viable cells that provide said neurally-active molecule, adhered to surfaces of the supports, wherein:
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(a) the introducing is into the mammal'"'"'s brain or spinal cord; and (b) the supports are comprised of a matrix material and have diameters greater than 10 μ
m. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification