Cell seeded expandable body

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for treating medical conditions using cell therapy via body lumens. Localized delivery is achieved with the use of a stent-like expandable body seeded with cells. The expandable body is expanded to contact at least a portion of the inner walls of the body lumen and the cells, cellular products and / or other therapeutic agents are delivered to the surrounding tissue. The therapeutic benefit provided is dependent on the type of cells used and the features of the expandable body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 494,045 (Attorney Docket 021258-001700US), filed Aug. 7, 2003, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. [0002] This application is also a continuation in part of PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US03 / 21754 (Attorney Docket 021764-000920PC) filed on Jul. 11, 2003 which claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 395,180 (Attorney Docket 021258-000900US) filed Jul. 11, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 421,404 (Attorney Docket 021258-000910US) filed Oct. 24, 2002, the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. [0003] This application is also a continuation in part of PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US03 / 21611 (Attorney Docket 021764-000720PC) filed on Jul. 11, 2003 which claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027] In some embodiments, genetically modified cells are used to over-express a therapeutic gene. In preferred embodiments, genetically modified smooth muscle cells (SMC) are used. This is because a large number of major human diseases, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and asthma are associated with abnormal function of SMCs. In addition, SMC dysfunction also contributes to numerous other human health problems including vascular aneurysms, and reproductive, bladder and gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, a therapeutic effect can be achieved by delivering SMCs which have been genetically modified to over express a therapeutic agent, thereby reducing or eliminating the physiological consequences caused by SMC dysfunction.

[0030] A major limitation in using these stem cell derived smooth muscle progenitor cells with conventional delivery methods is that the conventional delivery methods do not provide effective engraftment of the cells into the desired tissue site while at the same time reducing or eliminating the risks of delivery to non-target sites. As mentioned, the engraftment potential is highest for undifferentiated cells, however undifferentiated cells pose the greatest risk for tumorigenesis or other undesired side effects. Therefore, a balance between these risks and benefits is desired. Such a balance may be achieved by the use of expandable bodies having micromechanical probes, such as provided by Reed et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,013), or expandable bodies having deployable microstructures as described above. In this preferred embodiment, the cells are seeded onto the expandable body and delivered directly to specific locations, particularly within the wall of a body lumen. The cells are mechanically embedded into and / or held against the wall of the body lumen which improves engraftment of the cells into the target tissue. This process may be further aided by use of the porous coating to deliver agents that promote engraftment as well as other desired properties of the cells.

[0032] Alternative genes that might be expressed to confer a therapeutic benefit include TGFβ1, which has anti-inflammatory properties and which also has been shown to inhibit SMC growth, promote differentiation, and enhance production of extracellular matrix components. Other possibilities include cytokines IL-4, IL-10 or IL-13 whose anti-inflammatory properties may promote wound repair or regeneration and / or reduced restenosis.

[0034] In other embodiments, cells which have not been genetically modified to over-express a possible therapeutic gene, referred to herein as “unmodified cells”, are used. Such cells may be used to augment tissue repair and regeneration. For example, when unmodified autologous SMC, stem cell derived SMC or SMC progenitor cells are used, proliferation of the SMCs and / or associated production of extracellular matrix components including collagen and elastin can rebuild blood vessels. The blood vessels may have been damaged due to traumatic injury, such as by an accident, major reconstructive surgery, or repair of a congenital vascular defect. The SMCs can also be used to rebuild blood vessels which suffer from aneurysms, a progressive vascular abnormality associated with degeneration and dissection of the blood vessel wall and SMC hypocellularity. They may be caused by many factors including extensive atherosclerotic disease, a congenital vascular defect, or mutations in genes important for determining the tensile strength of blood vessels, such as in the case of Marfan's Syndrome which is the result of mutations in the fibrillin gene. In addition, a porous surface on the expandable body may be employed to deliver agents that enhance the desired properties of the unmodified cells. For example, TGFβ1 may be used since it is known to dramatically enhance matrix production, and / or PDGF BB may be used to promote proliferation of progenitor cells provided on the device as well as recruitment of resident cells that could aid in the repair process.

[0035] When the cell-seeded expandable bodies of the present invention are used to treat an aneurysm, the expandable bodies anchor a tube or graft to the vessel walls surrounding an aneurysm. SMCs may be delivered to the vessel walls to increase anchorage of the tube and reduce migration of the tube along the blood vessel. Such migration could lead to leakage, exposure of the aneurysm and damage to the blood vessel, to name a few. In addition, the improved anchorage may also prevent apparent migration of the apparatus which occurs when the aneurysmal sac grows in size and as such encroaches upon the ends of the apparatus. This results in a reduction of the distance between the terminus of the apparatus and the aneurysm which is the same effect as migration. Thus, the SMCs help maintain intimate contact between the apparatus and the vessel wall and prevent aneurysmal sac growth. The SMCs can also be delivered to the blood vessel lumen, the blood vessel walls and / or the outer surface of the blood vessel to encourage tissue regrowth or extra-cellular matrix formation. The SMCs may also be delivered to the aneurysmal sac. This may allow for tissue regrowth within the sac, strengthening the tissue within the aneurysmal walls. In addition, as noted above, a porous surface on the device may be employed to deliver agents to enhance the repair or regenerative process.

Problems solved by technology

Despite the overall initial success of these procedures, many patients undergoing these therapeutic procedures to clear blocked coronary arteries will suffer restenosis (re-blockage) at some point after the initial procedure.

The complications which arise from aneurysms can include rupture, embolization, fistularisation and symptoms related to pressure on surrounding structures.

When left untreated, an abdominal aortic aneurysm may eventually cause rupture of the aorta with ensuing fatal hemorrhaging in a very short time.

However, current methods have limitations which preclude the successful use of such pluripotent stem cells in treating various medical conditions.

As such, if stem cells are simply introduced to target tissues by current methods, such as intravenously or by direct injection, a safety concern is the risk that the cells will differentiate into a non-target cell type and disrupt the normal functions in the target tissues.

At worst, this may result in tumorigenesis and / or patient mortality.

The drawback to this approach (i.e. the use of progenitor cells) is that the engraftment efficiency is usually inversely related to the extent of cell differentiation.

Thus, while the use of stem-cell-derived progenitor cells may reduce or eliminate safety concerns, the fact that the progenitor cells are further down the differentiation pathway as compared to pluripotent stem cells means that their engraftment efficiency is reduced, and this will in turn reduce the likelihood of a clinical benefit.

However, these applications have also been limited by the lack of methods to provide efficient engraftment as described above.

Embryonic stem cells may have properties, such as pluripotentiality and infinite replicative life span, that are not obtainable with autologous somatic stem cells.

However, non-autologous and non-human cells are attacked by the patient's immune system, thus limiting their long term efficacy and viability.

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