Methods and compositions for poly-beta-1-4-N-acetylglucosamine cell therapy system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a purified, easily produced poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine (p-GlcNAc) polysaccharide species. The p-GlcNAc of the invention is a polymer of high molecular weight whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a β-1→4 conformation, and which is free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. In addition, derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc are described. The present invention further relates to methods for the purification of the p-GlcNAc of the invention from microalgae, preferably diatom, starting sources. Still further, the invention relates to methods for the derivatization and reformulation of the p-GlcNAc. Additionally, the present invention relates to the uses of pure p-GlcNAc, its derivatives, and / or its reformulations.

Description

1. INTRODUCTION The present invention relates, first, to a purified, easily produced poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine (p-GlcNAc) polysaccharide species. The p-GlcNAc of the invention is a polymer of high molecular weight whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a β-1→4 conformation, and which is free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. In addition, derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc are described. The present invention further relates to methods for the purification of the p-GlcNAc of the invention from microalgae, preferably diatom, starting sources. Still further, the invention relates to methods for the derivatization and reformulation of the p-GlcNAc. Additionally, the present invention relates to the uses of pure p-GlcNAc, its derivatives, and / or its reformulations. 2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There exists today an extensive literature on the properties, activities, and uses of polysa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a new type of sugar called p-GlcNAc, which is pure, consistent, and can be produced in large quantities. This sugar is attached in a specific way to other monosaccharides and is free of proteins and other contaminants. The invention solves the problem of unpredictable raw material variability, which makes it difficult to produce consistent, high-quality p-GlcNAc. The invention also describes methods for making various derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc, which can be used in a variety of applications in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural industries. The p-GlcNAc materials are biodegradable, biocompatible, and can immobilize and encapsulate agents like drugs and cells. They can be used as biodegradable barriers, drug formulations, and cell-based therapeutics."

Problems solved by technology

It was approximately a century later, however, before it was discovered that the terms “chitin” and “chitosan” are, in fact, very ambiguous.

For example, the properties of “chitins” isolated from conventional sources such as crustacean outer shells and fungal mycelial mats are unpredictably variable.

In fact, the unpredictable variability of raw material is largely responsible for the slow growth of chitin-based industries.

The unpredictable variability of these preparations, as described above, however, severely limits the utility of these heterogenous compounds.

For example, the currently available “chitins” and “chitosans” give rise to irreproducible data and to unacceptably wide variations in experimental results.

Additionally, the available preparations are not sufficiently homogenous or pure, and the preparation constituents are not sufficiently reproducible for these preparations to be acceptable for use in applications, especially in medical ones.

Thus, although extremely desirable, true, purified preparations of chitin and chitosan, whose properties are highly reproducible and which are easily manufactured, do not currently exist.

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