Controlled nutrient delivery to pancreatic islets using a novel mesoporous silica-based nanoparticle platform
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsAvnesh S. Thakor, Mehdi Razavi
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Abstract
Nanoparticles, methods, and kits are provided for supplying nutrients and other therapeutic agents to transplanted cells. Nutrient deprivation is a significant factor which contributes to poor outcome of many cell transplants because cells receive insufficient nutrients until they are able to establish a functional microcirculation to support their metabolic and physiological needs after transplantation. Nanoparticles are provided for use in supplying nutrients and other therapeutic agents to transplanted cells to improve cell survival. Such nanoparticles can be used to supply nutrients and other factors to transplanted cells until the transplanted cells are able to develop a new microcirculation.
Claims33
A nanoparticle for supplying a therapeutic agent to transplanted cells, the nanoparticle comprising:
- a) a mesoporous silica core comprising a plurality of pores, wherein the pores have a pore diameter ranging from about 2 nm to about 20 nm;
- b) one or more therapeutic agents, wherein the plurality of pores contains the therapeutic agents;
- and
- c) a layer comprising polydopamine encapsulating the mesoporous silica core, wherein the layer comprising polydopamine has a thickness sufficient to allow sustained release of effective amounts of the one or more therapeutic agents from the nanoparticle at least until the transplanted cells develop a functional microcirculation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.