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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Children's Hospital

Joseph P. Vacanti

Linda Griffith-cima

Lynt Johnson

Robert S. Langer

Linda Griffith-Cima

Anthony Atala

Charles Alfred Vacanti

Keith T Paige

Joseph P Vacanti

Robert S Langer

Slowly polymerizing polysaccharide hydrogels have been demonstrated to be useful as a means of delivering large numbers of isolated cells via injection. The gels promote engraftment and provide three dimensional templates for new cell growth. The resulting tissue is similar in composition and histology to naturally occurring tissue. This method can be used for a variety of reconstructive procedures, including custom molding of cell implants to reconstruct three dimensional tissue defects, as well as implantation of tissues generally.

Tissue formation by injecting a cell-polymeric solution that gels in vivo

A cell-polymeric solution is injected into an animal where the polymer crosslinks to form a polymeric hydrogel containing dispersed cells and the cells form new tissue in the animal. The polymer is biodegradable and is a natural polymer such as alginate or a synthetic polymer. The cells are chondrocytes, osteoblasts, muscle cells, fibroblasts or cells acting primarily to synthesize, secret or metabolize materials. Crosslinking of the polymer results from using cations or anions, altering the pH or changing the temperature. A polyion such as polyethyleneimine or polylysine can be added before injection to stabilize the polymeric hydrogel. A kit for tissue formation is provided by combining the cell-polymeric solution with a means for injecting the solution into an animal.

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Lexington, MA, United States of America

Linda Griffith-Cima