Multiple-layer immune barrier for donor cells
AssigneeBeta-O2 Technologies Ltd.
InventorsURIEL BARKAI, AVI ROTEM, YEHEZKEL BREMER, TOVA NEUFELD
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Abstract
A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.
Claims57
Apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of donor cells;
- a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells, the first alginate structure having a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%;
- a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%;
- and
- a selectively-permeable membrane coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure.
A method for encapsulating a plurality of donor cells, comprising:
- encapsulating the plurality of donor cells in a first alginate structure having a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%;
- surrounding the first alginate structure by a second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%;
- and
- surrounding the second alginate structure by a selectively-permeable membrane.
The method according to 31, wherein the plurality of donor cells include cells that are disposed in a plurality of pancreatic islets, and wherein encapsulating the plurality of donor cells in the first alginate structure comprises encapsulating the plurality of pancreatic islets in the first alginate structure at a density of between 1500 and 6000 islets per square cm.
Apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of donor cells;
- a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells, the first alginate structure having a distance from an outer surface thereof to a center of the first alginate structure, the distance being configured so as to attenuate diffusion toward the plurality of donor cells of molecules;
- a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a structural composition selected so as to restrict passage therethrough of molecules having a molecular weight above and including 150 kDa;
- and
- a selectively-permeable membrane coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure, the membrane being configured to restrict passage therethrough of cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.