Tissue engineered uterus

• US 7,429,490 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony J. Atala
• Original Assignee: Children's Medical Center Corporation
• Inventors: Atala, Anthony, Yoo, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Afremova; Vera
• Application Number:
  US11/052,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20050208026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 435/1.1
• US Class Current: 435/373
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/12 Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells vaccines or medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/22 for reconstruction of hollow organs, e.g. bladder, esophagus, urether, uterus
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/18 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3604 characterised by the human or animal origin of the biological material, e.g. hair, fascia, fish scales, silk, shellac, pericardium, pleura, renal tissue, amniotic membrane, parenchymal tissue, fetal tissue, muscle tissue, fat tissue, enamel
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3679 Hollow organs, e.g. bladder, esophagus, urether, uterus, intestine
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/38 containing added animal cells organs or tissue containing native cells A61L27/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3813 Epithelial cells, e.g. keratinocytes, urothelial cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3826 Muscle cells, e.g. smooth muscle cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3886 comprising two or more cell types
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3891 as distinct cell layers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/04 Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones C08L67/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2500/84 from mammals
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/11 Epidermal growth factor [EGF]
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2502/1347 Smooth muscle cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2502/243 Cells of the female genital tract, non-germinal ovarian cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/40 Polyhydroxyacids, e.g. polymers of glycolic or lactic acid (PGA, PLA, PLGA); Bioresorbable polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0068 General culture methods using substrates for specific animal cell type C12N5/06
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0697 Artificial constructs associating cells of different lineages, e.g. tissue equivalents blood vessels C12N5/0691

Abstract

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for reconstructing artificial female reproductive organs. The constructs and methods of the invention can be used for ameliorating congenital malformations and disorders of female reproductive tract using tissue engineered female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes. These tissue engineered female reproductive organs can be generated by perfusing cultured cell populations derived from cells of the female reproductive tissues, such as uterine, vaginal, cervical, fallopian tube epithelial cells as well as smooth muscle cells.

Claims

1. A method of constructing artificial uterine tissue comprising:

providing a biocompatible matrix;

perfusing one side of the biocompatible matrix with a first cell population comprising a uterine epithelial cell population and with a second cell population comprising a smooth muscle cell population; and

culturing the cell populations in the biocompatible matrix;

to thereby create an uterine tissue structure, or uterine segment that is the functional equivalent of normal uterine tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises perfusing the biocompatible matrix with at least one additional cell population.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second cell population is a substantially homogenous smooth muscle cell population.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises selecting a biocompatible matrix that comprises a polymer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises selecting a biocompatible matrix that comprises a decellularized structure.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible matrix is formed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of cellulose ether, cellulose, cellulosic ester, fluorinated polyethylene, poly-4-methylpentene, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyacrylate, polybenzoxazole, polycarbonate, polycyanoarylether, polyester, polyestercarbonate, polyether, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyetherketone, polyethersulfone, polyethylene, polyfluoroolefin, polyglycolic acid, polyimide, polyolefin, polyoxadiazole, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulfide, polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polythioether, polytriazole, polyurethane, polyvinyl, polyvinylidene fluoride, regenerated cellulose, silicone, urea-formaldehyde, copolymers and physical blends thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible matrix is polyglycolic acid (PGA).