Methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from extracellular matrix material

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from ECM material, i.e., gels which retain bioactivity, and can serve as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction. The manufacturing methods take advantage of a new recognition that bioactive gels from ECM material can be created by digesting particularized ECM material in an alkaline environment and neutralizing to provide bioactive gels.

Description

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT[0001]This invention was supported by grant no. NCC 9-58 from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute through NASA. The Government has certain rights in the invention.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is related to methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from extracellular matrix material and their uses for restoration of tissues in a patient.BACKGROUND[0003]Biologic scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix material (ECM) have been used for the repair of variety of tissues including the lower urinary tract, esophagus, myocardium and musculotendinous tissues, often leading to tissue-specific constructive remodeling with minimal or no scar tissue formation.[0004]Although uses of ECM as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction are very promising, challenges remain in the process to manufacture bioactive gels from ECM, which retain their bioactivity.[0005...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The methods described in this patent text avoid the need for difficult and time-consuming purification steps that can damage the bioactivity of the gels. This provides a more efficient and effective way to manufacture these gels, which can be useful in a variety of applications.

Problems solved by technology

Although uses of ECM as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction are very promising, challenges remain in the process to manufacture bioactive gels from ECM, which retain their bioactivity.

The process of manufacturing bioactive gels from ECM described thus far require the use of enzymes and are time consuming because they require aggressive purification steps, which may lead to depletion in the bioactivity of the gels and may present additional regulatory barriers to marketing.

Images