In situ dissolution of alginate coatings of biological tissue transplants
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsKent C. Cochrum, Susan A. Jemtrud
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Abstract
A method for in situ dissolution of an alginate coating from transplants containing biological tissue cores by administering to a transplant's recipient a physiologically acceptable chelating agent in an amount sufficient to dissolve the alginate coating. The method allows in situ removal of the coating and deactivation of the transplant by rejection of its core by the host immune system without the necessity to perform a surgery.
Claims21
A method for in situ dissolution of an alginate coating of a transplant containing a biological tissue core comprising steps:
- (a) administering to a transplant recipient repeatedly a non-toxic physiologically acceptable chelating agent, such that the transplant's alginate coating is dissolved in a controlled manner and the biological tissue core is destroyed and removed by the recipient's immune system;
- and
- (b) monitoring the degree of alginate dissolution by measuring levels of a product released from the transplant or an effect of said released product on the physiological conditions of the recipient.
A method for in situ dissolution of an alginate coating of a transplant containing pancreatic islets comprising steps:
- (a) administering to a transplant recipient repeatedly a citrate solution, such that the transplant's alginate coating is dissolved in a controlled manner and pancreatic islets are destroyed and removed by the recipient's immune system;
- and
- (b) monitoring the degree of alginate dissolution by measuring levels of insulin released from the transplant or an effect of insulin on levels of blood glucose.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.