BIOPOLYMER AND BIOPOLYMER-CELL COMPOSITIONS FOR NERVE TISSUE REPAIR

摘要

An implantable composition adapted for the stimulation of the growth of and the guidance of neural tissue across a lesion site in nerve tissue of a human or non-human mammal comprising: a) a space filling, cell compatible, bioerodable material that allows the growth therein or thereon of neural tissue, and b) seeded on or in the material, at least biologically active cell type capable of producing, upon implantation of the composition in the mammal, at least one neurotrophic factor, growth factor, cytokine, extracellular matrix molecule or mixture thereof that is effective to provide neurotrophic support to mammalian nerve tissue. Also disclosed is a method of promoting neuronal regeneration in injured or damaged nerve tissue of a mammal comprising implanting the composition of claim 1 into the tissue of said mammal near the site of injury between the proximal axon stumps and their respective distal segments.