Muscle-Derived Progenitor Cells for Durable Soft Tissue Augmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for soft tissue augmentation using synthetic materials and biopolymers are unsatisfactory due to immunological responses, short-term effectiveness, and complications such as scarring, inflammation, and tissue stiffening, while cell-based compositions like myoblasts face low survival rates post-transplantation.

Innovation Solution

Development of muscle-derived progenitor cell compositions that express specific markers, such as desmin and CD34, which are isolated and enriched for long-term survival and used for transplantation into various soft tissues, including muscle and bone, to provide durable and compatible augmentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If synthetic materials like silicone or PTFE are used for soft tissue augmentation, then the implant provides structural support, but it causes an immunological response resulting in encapsulation and scarring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidimmunological response and scarring
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses autologous muscle-derived progenitor cells and extracellular matrix components that are biologically homogeneous with host tissue, eliminating the foreign body immunological response that occurs with synthetic materials like silicone or PTFE

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite biological material consisting of muscle-derived progenitor cells embedded in extracellular matrix, combining cellular components with structural support elements to achieve both strength and biocompatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biopolymers like collagen or hyaluronic acid are used for soft tissue augmentation, then the material is biocompatible, but it is reabsorbed by the host resulting in temporary augmentation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidduration of augmentation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The muscle-derived progenitor cells in the composition continue to produce endogenous extracellular matrix components after transplantation, enabling self-renewal and long-term persistence without external supplementation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from using passive biopolymer fillers to active living cells that can proliferate and produce matrix components, fundamentally changing the temporal dynamics from degradation to sustained production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If autologous fat cells are used as an injectable bulking agent, then the material is biocompatible and provides volume, but the injected fat is reabsorbed resulting in temporary augmentation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidduration of augmentation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The muscle-derived progenitor cells possess self-renewal capacity and continue to produce extracellular matrix components after transplantation, unlike fat cells that are passively reabsorbed, enabling long-term persistent augmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Quantity of substance

If fibroblasts are used for soft tissue augmentation, then the cells provide collagen production, but the cells cause stiffening and distortion of surrounding tissues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollagen productionVSAvoidtissue distortion and stiffening
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The muscle-derived progenitor cells are selectively applied to specific tissue defects or areas requiring augmentation, allowing localized collagen production without affecting the mechanical properties of surrounding healthy tissues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The use of muscle-derived progenitor cells rather than fibroblasts produces a more homogeneous integration with host muscle and soft tissue, avoiding the stiffening and distortion effects caused by fibroblast-derived collagen

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP2097088B2Muscle derived cells for the treatment of cardiac pathologies and methods of making and using the same
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 UNIV OF PITTSBURGH OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYST OF HIGHER EDUCATION
  • EP2097088B2 patent drawingFigure 1A~1F
  • EP2097088B2 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2097088B2 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.