Tigenix Nv

The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

K.u. Leuven Research & Development

Tigenex N.v.

Frank Luyten

Francesco Dell'Accio

Cosimo De Bari

Malcolm Moos, Jr

Shouwen Wang

Bang Hoang

Liesbet Geris

Gabriella Nilsson Hall

Rik Lories

Veerle Bloemen

Luis Freitas Mendes

Ioannis Papantoniou

Johanna Bolander

Ludwig Erlacher

The application provides biocompatible carriers comprising bone forming and/or cartilage forming cells and methods for making them. The application further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising said ATMPs and method of treatments using said ATMPs. The application further relates to said ATMPS for use in the treatment of bone disorders, cartilage disorders and joint disorders. The current invention further relates to method of treatments of bone disorders, cartilage disorders and joint disorders.

Compositions for treatment of osteochondral disorders

The present invention describes in vitro methods for producing a cellular composition with in vivo bone forming potential.

Engineering functional bone organs

An in vivo assay to measure anchorage-independent growth and phenotypic stability of a certain cell population comprising subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in a mammal of a cell suspension of articular chondrocytes in an iso-osmotic liquid, the same suspension comprising articular chondrocytes in an amount equivalent to at least 1&#xd7;10chondrocytes as applied to immune-deficient mice. The outcome is linked to molecular markers. The present invention further relates to DNA chips and diagnostic tools comprising the latter to predict the outcome of ACT. Antibodies raised against positive and negative markers of chondrocyte stability can also be used for quality control on the chondrocytes. Therapeutical composition comprising stable chondrocytes are very useful for tissue repair.

Method of treating connective tissue defect using chondrocytes selected for phenotypic stability

Cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein CDMP-1 or a transforming growth factor &#x3b2; having at least 80% homology with CDMP-1, or a factor co-expressed and/or co-detectable therewith, is used as a marker of skeletal precursor cells from any part of a mammalian body.

Isolation of skeletal precursor cells

The present invention disclosed the expression of CXCL6 by cells which are able to form stable cartilage. The invention describes the use of these cells and of CXCL6 to promote cartilage (and underlying bone) formation e.g. in the repair of cartilage or osteochondral defects. The invention further describes the use of chemokines in the modulation of progenitor cell differentiation.

Use of CXCL6 chemokine for inducing precursor cells into chondrocytes

Use of CXCL6 chemokine in the prevention or repair of cartilage defects

An in vivo assay to measure anchorage-independent growth and phenotypic stability of a certain cell population comprising subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in a mammal of a cell suspension of articular chondrocytes in an iso-osmotic liquid, the same suspension comprising articular chondrocytes in an amount equivalent to at least 1&#xd7;10chondrocytes as applied to immune-deficient mice. The outcome is linked to molecular markers. The present invention further relates to DNA chips and diagnostic tools comprising the latter to predict the outcome of ACT. Antibodies raised against positive and negative markers of chondrocyte stability can also be used for quality control on the chondrocytes. Therapeutical compositions comprising stable chondrocytes are very useful for tissue repair.

In vivo assay and molecular markers for testing the phenotypic stability of cell populations, and selected cell populations for autologous transplantation

In vivo assay and molecular markers for testing the phenotypic stability of cell populations and selected cell populations for autologous transplantation

The present invention is concerned with a method and composition for use in the medical art. It relates to the prevention and/or minimization of Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) and/or SpA enthesitis. SpA are an important group of chronic inflammatory disorders, affecting both the axial and peripheral skeleton. A particular method and composition optionally including a suitable dispensing device for such compositions can be used for ameliorating or preventing SpA. The invention applies to human and veterinary applications. To date, no single therapeutic approach has proven universally effective in preventing SpA or ameliorating SpA. Therefore, there is a need for compositions and methods which may be used safely and effectively to prevent SpA in a variety of different contexts.

Spondyloarthropathies

An isolated cDNA encoding a growth-inducing protein, Frzb, capable of stimulating bone, cartilage, muscle and nerve tissue formation. Frzb binds to and modulates the activity of Wnt growth factors which play a role in various developmental and neoplastic processes. The cDNA and protein sequences of human, bovine andFrzb are provided. Production and purification of recombinant Frzb are also described.

Isolation and method of using tissue growth-inducing Frzb protein

A chemically defined-serum free growth medium for the in vitro and ex vivo of cells and cell lines. The medium consists of about a one to one ratio (v/v) of two basal growth media containing &agr;-ketoglutarate, insulin, transferrin, selenium, bovine serum albumin, linoleic acid, ceruloplasmin, cholesterol, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, &agr;-tocopherol acid succinate, reduced glutathione, taurine, triiodothyronine, hydrocortisone, parathyroid hormone, L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate, &bgr;-glycerophosphate, PDGF, EGF and FGF. Chondrocytes, when cultured in this medium in the presence of a cartilage derived morphogenetic protein or bone morphogenetic protein, retain their cartilaginous phenotype.

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Kraainem, Belgium

Frank Luyten