Method of reducing glial scar formation and promoting axon and blood vessel growth and/or regeneration through the use of activated immature astrocytes
AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
InventorsJerry Silver, George M. Smith, James W. Jacobberger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to "activated" immature astrocytes and methods of utilizing the activated immature astrocytes to reduce secondary necrosis and scar formation in central nervous system tissue as well as to promote axon and/or blood vessel growth or regeneration. In specific embodiments of the invention, activated immature astrocytes are used in injectable form or on a polymer implant. The activated immature astrocytes and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, may be used to treat disorders of the nervous system resulting from accidents or diseases which have in some way damaged the nerve tissue.
Claims57
A method for promoting directed axon regeneration which comprises the steps of:
- (a) providing activated immature astrocytes;
- (b) seeding an effective amount of said activated immature astrocytes on to an implant;
- and,
- (c) inserting said seeded implant near the ends of damaged axons to promote directed axon regeneration.
A method for promoting directed axon regeneration in an animal lacking activated immature astrocytes which comprises the steps of:
- (a) providing activated immature astrocytes;
- (b) seeding an effective amount of said activated immature astrocytes on to an implant;
- and,
- (c) inserting said seeded implant into damaged axons of an animal lacking activated immature astrocytes to promote directed axon regeneration.
A method for reducing glial scar formation in damaged central nervous system tissue comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing activated immature astrocytes;
- (b) seeding an effective amount of said activated immature astrocytes on to an implant;
- and,
- (c) inserting said seeded implant into damaged tissue of the central nervous system to reduce glial scar formation.
A method for reducing glial scar formation in damaged central nervous system tissue in an animal lacking activated immature astrocytes which comprises the steps of:
- (a) providing activated immature astrocytes;
- (b) seeding an effective amount of said activated immature astrocytes on to an implant;
- and,
- (c) inserting said seeded implant into damaged tissue of the central nervous system of an animal lacking activated immature astrocytes to reduce glial scar formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.