Transplants for myocardial scars
AssigneeGenzyme Corporation
InventorsDonald A. G. Mickle, Ren-Ke Li, Richard D. Weisel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for forming a graft in heart tissue which comprises the transplantation of cells chosen from cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and skeletal myoblasts. The grafts are especially useful in treating scar tissue on the heart.
Claims13
A method of forming a stable cardiac graft in a mammal, said method comprising transplanting adult fibroblasts into scar tissue in said mammal's heart, wherein said transplanted fibroblasts improve heart function in said mammal.
A method for improving heart function in a mammal with myocardial injury, comprising the step of transplanting adult fibroblasts into said mammal's heart, wherein said fibroblasts are transplanted into said mammal's heart after fibrotic tissue has formed in response to said injury, and wherein said transplanted fibroblasts improve heart function in said mammal.
A method for improving heart function in a mammal with heart damage due to acute myocardial injury, comprising the step of transplanting adult fibroblasts into said mammal's heart, wherein said fibroblasts are transplanted into said mammal's heart after an inflammatory response to said acute myocardial injury has subsided and wherein said transplanted fibroblasts improve heart function in said mammal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.