57 results about "Heterografts" patented technology

A small percentage of cells within an established solid tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise both to more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. Thus, solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell. We have developed a xenograft model in which we have been able to establish tumors from primary tumors via injection of tumor cells in the mammary gland of severely immunodeficient mice. These xenograft assay have allowed us to do biological and molecular assays to characterize clonogenic solid tumor stem cells. We have also developed evidence that strongly implicates the Notch pathway, especially Notch 4, as playing a central pathway in carcinogenesis.

Described herein are compositions and methods of use of radionuclide-antibody conjugates (for RAIT) and drug-antibody conjugates (ADC). The combination of RAIT and ADC was more efficacious than either RAIT alone, ADC alone, or the sum of effects of RAIT and ADC. The unexpected synergy resulted in decreased tumor growth rate and increased survival, with a high incidence of tumor-free survival in Capan-1 human pancreatic cancer xenografts in nude mice.

An implantable graft, which may be inserted into a fistula tract to occlude the primary opening of the fistula, is provided. To prevent unintentional displacement of the graft or extrusion of the graft from the fistula of a patient, the graft may be provided with a cap that extends laterally from at least one end of the body of the graft, where the cap may be integral with the body of the graft, attachable to at least one end of the body of the graft, and / or moveable along the body of the graft. The graft may also have a tail that extends from one end of the body of the graft to assist in placement of the graft in a fistula tract. The graft may be an integral unit made of a single material, such as a heterograft material, or may include distinct components made of the same or different materials. Methods for closing a fistula tract are also provided.

The present invention is a porcine animal, tissue, organ, cells and cell lines, which lack any expression of functional alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase (alpha1,3GT). These animals, tissues, organs and cells can be used in xenotransplantation and for other medical purposes.

The present technology is related to the field of sterilization and decellularization of allografts or xenografts, specifically to processes that achieve effective removal of the cells contained within a vascular tissue matrix and an effective reduction in potential harmful organisms to create grafts suitable for human implantation. In some embodiments, vascular grafts, vascular tissue and / or blood vessels are contacted with cleaning solution under conditions suitable conditions to reduce immune reaction in patients. More specifically, the present technology is directed to sterilization and decellularization of vascular grafts.

The invention relates to heart valve xenografts from transgenic pigs having a disruption of an α1-3 galactosyl transferase nucleic acid sequence and use of the xenografts for treating a patient.

It has been discovered that there are at least two significant antigens present on the cells of animal species such as pigs that elicit an immune or inflammatory response immediately upon implantation into humans or contact with human serum. The first is an α-galactosyl (Gal) epitope, for example, Galα(1->3)Galβ(1->4)GlcNac (linear B type 2) or Galα(1->3) Galβ(1->4)Glc (linear B type 6). The second is an N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) structure. By eliminating these epitopes, preferably by genetically engineering the animal so that the epitope is either not produced or is greatly reduced, or by chemical or enzymatic treatment of the animal's cells to remove the epitopes, it is possible to produce organs, tissues and cells suitable for xenotransplantation into humans. Cells can be rendered even more compatible by genetically engineering the animal to express a human complement regulatory protein (inhibitor), such as CD59, on its cells, or to express an excess of a pig complement regulatory protein.

Development of a physiologically relevant 3D model system for cancer research and drug development represents quite a challenge. We have adopted a 3D culture system based on a transglutaminase-crosslinked gelatin gel (Col-Tgel) to mimic tumor 3D microenvironment. The system has several unique advantages over other alternatives which include cell-matrix interaction sites provided by collagen derived peptides, a 3D construct suitable for reproducing the solid tumor microenvironment including multicellular tumor spheroids and metabolic gradients. In addition the controllable gel stiffness provides a wide range of mechanical restrictions; and compatibility with imaging based screening due to its transparent properties. In addition the Col-Tgel provides a cure-in-situ delivery vehicle for tumor xenograft formation in animals with a high take rate. Overall, this unique 3D system could provide a platform to accurately mimic in vivo situations to study tumor formation and progression both in vitro and in vivo, as well as for screening antineoplastic drugs and assessing the occurrence of drug resistance related to cancer cell stress.

The invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a substantially non-immunogenic xenograft for implantation into humans. The xenograft is a body part dissected from a transgenic 1,3-α-galactosyltransferase gene-deficient animal, wherein the cells of the body part are dead. The invention also provides methods for preparing a xenograft by removing a body part from a transgenic animal, which is 1,3-α-galactosyltransferase gene-deficient, to provide a xenograft; optionally washing the xenograft in saline and alcohol; subjecting the xenograft to a cellular disruption treatment; optionally treating the xenograft with crosslinking agents, and optionally treating the xenograft with a proteoglycan-depleting factor. The invention further provides a method for sterilizing xenograft material, having the steps of obtaining substantially non-immunogenic xenograft material; treating the xenograft material with at least one crosslinking agent; and subjecting the crosslinked xenograft material to a radiation treatment.

The present technology is related to the field of sterilization and decellularization of allografts or xenografts, specifically to processes that achieve effective removal of the cells contained within a vascular tissue matrix and an effective reduction in potential harmful organisms to create grafts suitable for human implantation. In some embodiments, vascular grafts, vascular tissue and / or blood vessels are contacted with cleaning solution under conditions suitable conditions to reduce immune reaction in patients. More specifically, the present technology is directed to sterilization and decellularization of vascular grafts.

Targeting metabolic enzymes in human cancer Abstract Lung cancer is a devastating disease and a major therapeutic burden with poor prognosis. The functional heterogeneity of lung cancer (different tumor formation ability in bulk of tumor) is highly related with clinical chemoresistance and relapse. Here we find that, glycine dehydrogenase (GLDC), one of the metabolic enzyme involved in glycine metabolism, is overexpressed in various subtypes of human lung cancer and possibly several other types of cancers. GLDC was found to be highly expressed in tumor-initiating subpopulation of human lung cancer cells compared with non-tumorigenic subpopulation. By array studies we showed that normal lung cells express low levels of GLDC compared to xenograft and primary tumor. Functional studies showed that RNAi inhibition of GLDC inhibits significantly the clonal growth of tumor-initiating cells in vitro and tumor formation in immunodeficient mice. Overexpression of GLDC in non-tumorigenic subpopulation convert the cells to become tumorigenic. Furthermore, over-expression of GLDC in NIH / 3T3 cells and human primary lung fibroblasts can transform these cells, displaying anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and tumor-forming in mice. Not only is GLDC is expressed human lung cancer, it is also up-regulated in other types of cancer, such as colon cancer. RNAi knockdown of GLDC in colon cancer cell line, CACO-2 cells, can also inhibit the tumor formation in mice. Thus GLDC maybe a new metabolic target for treatment of lung cancer, and other cancers.

The instant invention has developed viral vectors encoding a mutant bacterial cytosine deaminase (bCD) gene, which have a higher affinity for cytosine than wild type bCD (bCDwt). The purpose of the present invention was to evaluate cytotoxicity in vitro and therapeutic efficacy in vivo of these vectors in combination with the prodrug 5-FC and ionizing radiation against human glioma. The present study demonstrates that infection with the viral vector expressing the mutant cytosine deaminase gene resulted in increased 5-FC-mediated cell killing, compared with vectors expressing the wild-type gene. Furthermore, a significant increase in cytotoxicity following infection with viral vector expressing the mutant cytosine deaminase gene and radiation treatment of glioma cells in vitro was demonstrated as compared to infection with viral vector expressing the wild-type gene. Animal studies showed significant inhibition of subcutaneous or intracranial tumor growth of D54MG glioma xenografts by the combination of AdbCD-D314A / 5-FC with ionizing radiation as compared with either agent alone, and with AdbCDwt / 5-FC plus radiation. These data indicate that combined treatment with this mutant enzyme / prodrug therapy and radiotherapy provides a promising approach for cancer therapy.

The invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a substantially non-immunogenic heart valve xenograft for implantation into humans. The invention further provides methods for preparing a heart valve xenograft by removing at least a portion of a soft tissue from a non-human animal to provide a xenograft; washing the xenograft in saline and alcohol; subjecting the xenograft to cellular disruption treatment; treating the xenograft with crosslinking agents, and digesting the xenograft with a proteoglycan-depleting factor and / or glycosidase. The invention also provides an article of manufacture produced by the above-identified method of the invention. The invention further provides a heart valve xenograft for implantation into a human including a portion of a heart valve from a non-human animal, wherein the portion has extracellular components and substantially only dead cells. The extracellular components have reduced proteoglycan molecules. Each of the xenografts of the invention are substantially non-immunogenic and have substantially the same mechanical properties as a corresponding native heart valve.

The subject of the invention is a sterile, dehydrated acellular implant, which during its rehydration by water or bodily fluids displays anisotropic expansion and can act as a substrate for adhesion, migration and growth of live cells. Collagen structures of the transplant are at least partially denatured through the action of heat or organic solvents, such as lower aliphatic alcohols and ketones, which simultaneously act as preservative and sterilization agents, especially for certain types of viruses. The implant is sterilized by radiation while in an substantially dehydrated state, preferably by accelerated electrons. The transplant can be derived from various animal tissues, especially mammalian tissues, such as human or porcine tissues. The tissues suitable for the invention can be, for example, skin, placenta, pericardium, peritoneum, intestinal wall, tendon, blood vessel, etc. The implant is suitable for use in human and veterinary medicine, for instance as a temporary wound and burn cover, for the repair, substitution and regeneration of tissues, and also as a substrate for laboratory cell cultivation.

The invention provides nucleic acids, peptides, and antibodies for use in applications including diagnosis and therapy. The peptides target lung cancer and were identified by phage display. Targeting phage PC5-2 and synthetic peptide SP5-2 were both able to recognize human pulmonary tumor specimens from lung cancer patients. In SCID mice bearing NSCLC xenografts, the targeting phage was able to target tumor masses specifically. When the peptide was coupled to liposomes containing the anti-cancer drugs vinorelbine or doxorubicin, the efficacy of these drugs against human lung cancer xenografts was improved, the survival rate increased, and the drug toxicity was reduced.

The invention herein described relates to a method to improve the tolerance of a mammal, preferably a human, to a xenograft through immunisation of the recipient mammal with an immunogen comprising both a B cell epitope derived from porcine polypetides and T cell epitope. The invention also encompasses immunogenic compositions comprising said immunogens and methods to monitor the status of the xenograft.

This invention provides a method of generating antigen specific allospecific human-suppressor CD8+CD28− T cells. This invention also provides a method of generating xenospecific human suppressor CD8+CD28− T cells. This invention further provides a method of generating allopeptide antigen specific human suppressor CD8+CD28− T cells. Methods of treatment for, reduction of risk of rejection of allografts and xenografts and autoimmune diseases using the human suppressor CD8+CD28− T cells so produced are also provides, as are methods of preventing rejection and autoimmune diseases, and vaccines comprising the produced suppressor T cells. Methods of diagnosis to determine whether a level of immuno-suppressant therapy requires a reduction are provided.

The present invention is directed to the prophylatic field treatment of photodamaged skin with topical ingenol mebutate. More specifically, the present invention concerns field-directed treatment of UV-damaged skin with topical ingenol mebutate for reducing the number of skin lesions that emerge from the UV-damaged skin over time. In addition, the present invention concerns field-directed treatment for removing photodamaged skin, mutated keratinocytes, cutaneous immunosuppressive environments and / or p53+ patches caused by UV with topical ingenol mebutate. By way of example, the present invention is directed to treating photodamaged skin with topical ingenol mebutate at about 0.05% concentration.The present invention is also concerned with the treatment of SCC tumors with topical ingenol mebutate for reducing the number of SCC tumors. By example, the present invention is directed to treating and curing SCC xenografts with topical ingenol mebutate at about 0.25% concentration.The present invention is further directed to a topical field-directed treatment for the removal of tattoos from skin with ingenol mebutate. By way of example, the present invention is directed to removing tattoos with topical ingenol mebutate at concentrations of up to about 0.25%.

The present invention provides human transplantable inflammatory breast carcinoma xenografts. Such xenografts exhibit a number of unique characteristics which allows their use in experimental models of inflammatory carcinoma in order to dissect out the molecular basis of this phenotype. This experimental model of inflammatory carcinoma can be used to identify molecular targets for therapeutic intervention and to assess the efficacy of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Specific animal models of inflammatory breast cancer are described as well as methods for evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic agents for treating inflammatory breast cancer. Methods for identifying molecules whose expression is modulated in inflammatory breast cancer are provided. In addition, methods for diagnosing and inhibiting the growth of inflammatory breast cancer metastases in vivo are provided.

Bioengineering the regenerative heart or other body organ in need of greater muscle mass or improved blood perfusion provides a novel treatment for organ weakness or failure. In the case of cardiac failure treatment, on May 14, 2002, a 55-year-old man suffering ischemic myocardial infarction received 25 injections carrying 465 million cGMP-produced pure myoblasts into his myocardium after coronary artery bypass grafting. Three myogenesis mechanisms were elucidated with 17 human / porcine xenografts using cyclosporine as immunosuppressant. Some myoblasts developed to become cardiomyocytes. Others transferred their nuclei into host cardiomyocytes through natural cell fusion. As yet others formed skeletal myofibers with satellite cells. De novo production of contractile filaments augmented heart contractility. Human myoblasts transduced with VEGF165 gene produced six times more capillaries in porcine myocardium than placebo. Xenograft rejection was not observed for up to 20 weeks despite cyclosporine discontinuation at 6 weeks.

The subject invention pertains to materials, including sets of nerve grafts, for performing breast neurotization with xenograft nerves in breast surgeries, such as reconstructive breast surgery. Certain embodiments of the set of nerve grafts comprise at least two nerve grafts prepared from one or more nerves, such as one or more intercostal nerves (ICNs), obtained from one or more animal sources. Such animal-sourced nerve grafts may be used as xenografts in the reconstruction of nerve defects in humans, and in particular, animal-sourced ICN grafts may be used as xenografts in the reconstruction of ICN nerve defects in humans, including through use of the breast neurotization technique described herein. These animal-sourced nerve grafts may also be used in the reconstruction of nerve defects in animal recipients, including as xenografts, allografts and autografts.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of aggressive immune processes to life-saving grafts, such as xenograft rejection, and for attenuating host responses in transplantation of tissues, cells and organs. More specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention relate to combined therapies comprising treatment of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and temporary T-cell depletion including but not limited to anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies.

An embodiment of the invention is a method of using a xenograft as a control tissue for histology, comprising staining both a patient and a xenograft-derived control sample under substantially similar staining conditions, and assessing the staining outcomes of the two to determine whether the stain was effective for the patient sample. A xenograft has never been used before in histology as a control, as far as the inventors know. The result of using a xenograft as a control is surprisingly advantageous. First, the cell lines grow and differentiate similarly to a human, taking on the general morphology of a real tissue sample. Second, because the same transformed cell line can be grown limitless times in SCID mice, the xenograft control is highly reproducible, leading to a consistent artificial control that is highly manufacturable and subject to genetic manipulation so that antigens or genetic elements may be embedded in the tissue. Another embodiment of the invention is directed generally to a method of making a tissue control substrate, comprising growing a xenograft from a mammalian transformed cell line in a host animal, removing the xenograft from the host animal, processing the xenograft thereby embedding the xenograft tissue in an embedding medium, and finally affixing the embedded xenograft sample onto a substrate. The substrate is generally a microscope slide. The xenograft control slide can then be stained side-by-side with a specimen sample in an automated slide stainer, and act as a control against which the staining quality can be compared. The xenograft control can also be used as a manual staining control. Determining whether the staining was effective for the patient specimen comprises judging the staining intensity of the xenograft control sample to determine if the expected degree and type of staining were realized in the control. If the expected type (nuclear, membranous, or cytoplasmic) and degree (0-4 scale) of staining are realized during the run, then the xenograft control indicates the staining process and reagents are working properly, and so the result in the patient specimen can be trusted. A further embodiment of the invention is a xenograft-derived control slide for histochemical use, comprising at least one xenograft control sample prepared for histological use, and a sample slide upon which the at least one xenograft control sample is affixed.

The invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a substantially non-immunogenic bone xenograft (X) for the implantation into a defect (D) located in a bone portion (10) of a human. The invention further provides methods for preparing a bone xenograft (X) by removing at least a portion of bone from a non-human animal to provide a xenograft (X); washing the xenograft (X) in saline and alcohol; and subjecting the xenograft (X) to at least one of the treatments including exposure to ultraviolet radiation, immersion in alcohol, ozonic, and freeze / thaw cycling. In addition to or in lieu of the above treatments, the methods include a cellular disruption treatment, and digestion of the carbohydrate moieties of the xenograft (X) with a glycosidase followed by treatment for sialylation.

The invention relates to a method for producing a tissue matrix for an allotransplantation or a xenotransplantation, according to which, once a biological tissue has been obtained, said tissue is classified, said tissue is treated and the tissue matrix produced is conditioned, all of said steps being implemented in an automated manner inside the same 'classified' reactor. The invention also relates to the reactor allowing the implementation of the method of the invention.

Application to an allograft or xenograft of a low strength electric field network (LSEN) together with an immuno-suppressive drug, gene and siRNA or other gene-based therapy is used to mediate the immune responses within an donor organ, tissue or cells, to prevent the acute and chronic rejection and to induce true tolerance, The gene(s) is locally transferred ex vivo in the time interval between harvest and implantation of allografts or xenografts before the implantation to introduce the long-term over expression of immunosuppressive and / or modulative molecules, or for down regulating alloreactive molecules in the donor organ, tissue or cells only and not in the recipient's whole body system.