Materials and methods for nerve repair

• US 8,986,733 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2010
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Muir, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stucker, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gucker, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US12/966,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20110082482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,562 Days
• Field of Search: 424/484, 424/94.1, 424/94.5, 424/94.62, 606/152
• US Class Current: 424/484
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/30 Nerves; Brain; Eyes; Corneal cells; Cerebrospinal fluid; Neuronal stem cells; Neuronal precursor cells; Glial cells; Oligodendrocytes; Schwann cells; Astroglia; Astrocytes; Choroid plexus; Spinal cord tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/51 Lyases (4)
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/32 for nerve reconstruction
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/227 Other specific proteins or polypeptides not covered by A61L27/222, A61L27/225 or A61L27/24
• 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 27/3675 Nerve tissue, e.g. brain, spinal cord, nerves, dura mater
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3683 subjected to a specific treatment prior to implantation, e.g. decellularising, demineralising, grinding, cellular disruption/non-collagenous protein removal, anti-calcification, crosslinking, supercritical fluid extraction, enzyme treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3687 characterised by the use of chemical agents in the treatment, e.g. specific enzymes, detergents, capping agents, crosslinkers, anticalcification agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/383 Nerve cells, e.g. dendritic cells, Schwann cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3878 Nerve tissue, brain, spinal cord, nerves, dura mater
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/047 Other specific proteins or polypeptides not covered by A61L31/044 - A61L31/046
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/02 for peripheral neuropathies
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00

Abstract

The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue. The compositions and methods of the subject invention can be employed to restore the continuity of nerve interrupted by disease, traumatic events or surgical procedures. Compositions of the subject invention comprise one or more chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG)-degrading enzymes that promote axonal penetration into damaged nerve tissue. The invention also concerns methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue using the present compositions and nerve tissue treated according to such methods. The invention also pertains to kits for nerve repair.

Claims

1. A surgical cuff to promote repair of a damaged nerve of the peripheral nervous system, wherein said cuff comprises at least one chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme selected from the group consisting of chondroitinase ABC, chondroitinase A, chondroitinase C, chondroitinase AC, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and a sleeve to be applied to a nerve graft or damaged nerve of the peripheral nervous system.

2. The surgical cuff of claim 1, wherein said sleeve comprises a tube, and wherein said tube defines a lumen for insertion of a nerve graft or damaged nerve.

3. The surgical cuff of claim 2, wherein said tube has a slit extending longitudinally along the length of said tube, wherein said slit has first and second abutting edges, and wherein said first abutting edge is in separable contact with said second abutting edge, and wherein said first and second abutting edges can be separated to expose said lumen.

4. The surgical cuff of claim 1, wherein said surgical cuff further comprises means for delivering said chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme to the damaged nerve.

5. The surgical cuff of claim 4, wherein said chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme delivering means comprises a polymer.

6. The surgical cuff of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is biodegradable.

7. The surgical cuff of claim 1, wherein said cuff further comprises living cells seeded upon said sleeve.

8. The surgical cuff of claim 7, wherein said living cells comprise Schwann cells.

9. The surgical cuff of claim 7, wherein said living cells are genetically modified with a polynucleotide expressing said chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-degrading enzyme.

10. The surgical cuff of claim 1, wherein said sleeve has a facing surface for contacting said nerve graft or said damaged nerve, and wherein said cuff further comprises a tissue adhesive on at least a portion of said facing surface.