Transport of cells in hydrogels

Inventors

Connon, Che John • Cave, Richard Anthony • Khutoryanskiy, Vitaliy • Wright, Bernice

Assignees

Atelerix Ltd

Abstract

The present invention relates to hydrogels which may be used to encapsulate or entrap live cells. The invention further relates to methods for transporting live cells which are encapsulated or entrapped within hydrogels from a first location to a second location. The invention further relates to method of treating a wound, disease or tissue injury, e.g. an ocular injury or a damaged ocular surface in a subject using a hydrogel comprising corneal stem cells. The hydrogels used in such methods may be ones which have been transported from a first location to a second location.

Core Innovation

Hydrogels are used to transport viable cells from a first location to a second location, with the option that the cells are released on arrival. A packaged composition is provided in which living cells are entrapped or encapsulated within a calcium or strontium alginate hydrogel that is enclosed within water-tight or air-tight packaging suitable for transportation. The hydrogel is maintained in a state of storage within the packaging for a defined period, while cell division and optionally cell differentiation are suppressed or prevented.

The core recognition is that a calcium or strontium alginate hydrogel in the form of a thin layer or disc with pores of a defined diameter supports storage of living cells while maintaining viability and suppressing undesired biological activity. Controlled pore size is associated with alginate formulation, including calcium or strontium alginate, and with pore-size modification using a pore size increasing agent such as HEC, including forms where the agent is modified or removed. The hydrogel is described as supporting stem cell survival and maintenance of markers after release.

The document further describes gel macro-structure and composite materials for mechanical robustness and survival after storage, including thin discs versus masses and reinforcement concepts such as alginate–nylon mesh composites. Applications described include ocular injury treatment using hydrogels containing corneal stem cells, together with support for viability and marker preservation after storage and release, including comparisons involving storage and cryopreservation.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim provides a packaged composition with four main inventive categories: a calcium or strontium alginate hydrogel thin layer or disc with defined pore size, living cells entrapped or encapsulated within the hydrogel, water-tight or air-tight packaging suitable for transportation, and suppression or prevention of cell division and optionally cell differentiation.

Across the independent claim, the inventive combination centers on using a calcium or strontium alginate hydrogel thin layer or disc with defined pore size to entrap living cells within water-tight or air-tight packaging during transportation and storage, while suppressing cell division and optionally differentiation.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications