Three dimensional bioengineered smooth muscle tissue and sphincters and methods therefor
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsKhalil Bitar, Louise Hecker, Keith Baar, Sita Somara
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Abstract
This invention relates to a three dimensional bioengineered sphincter such as a bioengineered internal anal sphincter (IAS) and three-dimensional physiological models of smooth muscle cells. The invention also related to methods for generating a bioengineered sphincter and smooth muscle rings in culture. In addition, the invention provides for methods of using a bioengineered sphincter or bioengineered smooth muscle ring to identify agents that modify contractile force and relaxation in smooth muscle cells.
Claims12
A bioengineered sphincter comprising smooth muscle cells that contract in response to an agonist.
A method of generating a bioengineered sphincter comprising
- (a) coating a cell culture vessel containing a cylindrical mold with a polymer,
- (b) covering the polymer coated culture vessel with one or more extracellular matrix proteins, and
- (c) growing smooth muscle cells in the extracellular matrix in the culture vessel under conditions in which the smooth muscle cells contract in response to an agonist.
A method of treating a disorder related to sphincter dysfunction comprising administering heat shock protein 27 in an amount effective for increasing smooth muscle cell contractile force.
A method of stimulating smooth muscle contractile force comprising administering heat shock protein 27 in an amount effective to increase smooth muscle contractile force in a mammal in need.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.