Urinary tract tissue graft compositions and methods for producing same

1. A method for repairing a damaged or diseased urinary tract tissue of a subject by promoting growth of endogenous urinary tract tissues having a urine impermeable layer and a functional muscle layer, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically removing the damaged or diseased portion of urinary tract tissue; and

replacing the removed portion of urinary tract tissue with a tissue graft composition consisting essentially of a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa isolated from a mature adult pig, wherein replacing the removed portion of urinary tract tissue with the tissue graft composition results in promotion of growth of endogenous urinary tract tissues while reducing the possibility of calcifications or stone formations and preventing any substantial reduction in graft size.

2. A method for repairing a damaged or diseased bladder tissue of a subject by promoting growth of endogenous bladder tissue having a urine impermeable layer and a functional muscle layer, the method comprising the steps of:

surgically removing the damaged or diseased portion of bladder tissue; and

replacing the removed portion of bladder tissue with a tissue graft composition consisting essentially of a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa isolated from a mature adult pig, wherein replacing the removed portion of bladder tissue with the tissue graft composition results in promotion of growth of endogenous bladder tissues while reducing the possibility of calcifications or stone formations and preventing any substantial reduction in graft size.

3. A urinary tract tissue graft composition, comprising a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having at least one cell type seeded on a surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the at least one cell type selected from the group consisting of smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells.

4. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 3 wherein the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

5. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 3 wherein the at least one cell type exhibits three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance.

6. A urinary tract tissue graft composition, comprising a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells seeded on a surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

7. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 6 wherein the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

8. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 6 wherein the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance.

9. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 6 , wherein the smooth muscle cells are seeded on a mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

10. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 9 , wherein the urothelial cells are seeded on a serosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

11. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 9 , wherein the urothelial cells are seeded upon the smooth muscle cells attached to the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

12. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 6 , wherein the smooth muscle cells are bladder smooth muscle cells and the urothelial cells are bladder urothelial cells.

13. A urinary tract tissue graft composition, comprising:

a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

smooth muscle cells seeded on the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa; and

urothelial cells seeded on the serosal surface of the distal heal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

14. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 13 wherein the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

15. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 13 wherein the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance.

16. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 13 , wherein the smooth muscle cells are bladder smooth muscle cells and the urothelial cells are bladder urothelial cells.

17. A urinary tract tissue graft composition, comprising:

a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

smooth muscle cells seeded on the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa; and

urothelial cells seeded on the smooth muscle cells attached to the mucosal surface of the distal heal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

18. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 17 wherein the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

19. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 17 wherein the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance.

20. The urinary tract tissue graft composition of claim 17 , wherein the smooth muscle cells are bladder smooth muscle cells and the urothelial cells are bladder urothelial cells.

21. A method for providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition, comprising:

providing a tissue culture frame;

providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

positioning the distal heal segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame;

isolating and culturing at least one cell type from a tissue specimen of a subject; and

seeding the at least one cell type on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein, in the step of providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein, in the step of isolating and culturing at least one cell type from a tissue specimen of a subject, the at least one cell type is selected from the group consisting of smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of allowing the at least one cell type seeded on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa to mature in culture such that the at least one cell type exhibits three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance.

25. A method for providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition, comprising:

providing a tissue culture frame;

providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

positioning the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame;

isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from a tissue specimen of a subject;

isolating and culturing urothelial cells from a tissue specimen of a subject;

seeding the smooth muscle cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa; and

seeding the urothelial cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein, in the step of providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of allowing the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells seeded on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa to mature in culture such that the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein, in the steps of isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from a tissue specimen of a subject and isolating and culturing urothelial cells from a tissue specimen of a subject, the tissue specimen is bladder tissue, and the smooth muscle cells are bladder smooth muscle cells and the urothelial cells are bladder urothelial cells.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein, in the step of seeding the smooth muscle cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the smooth muscle cells are seeded on the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein, in the step of seeding the urothelial cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the urothelial cells are seeded on the serosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein, in the step of seeding the urothelial cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the urothelial cells are seeded on the smooth muscle cells attached to the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

32. The method of claim 25 wherein, in the step of providing the tissue culture frame, the tissue culture frame is formed of a polymer.

33. A method for providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition, comprising:

providing a tissue culture frame;

providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

positioning the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame;

isolating and culturing bladder smooth muscle cells from a bladder tissue specimen of a subject;

isolating and culturing bladder urothelial cells from a bladder tissue specimen of a subject;

seeding the bladder smooth muscle cells on the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa; and

seeding the bladder urothelial cells on the serosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein, in the step of providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

35. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of allowing the bladder smooth muscle cells and bladder urothelial cells seeded on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa to mature in culture such that the bladder smooth muscle cells and bladder urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance.

36. A method for providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition, comprising:

providing a tissue culture frame;

providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

positioning the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame;

isolating and culturing bladder smooth muscle cells from a bladder tissue specimen of a subject;

isolating and culturing bladder urothelial cells from a bladder tissue specimen of a subject;

seeding the bladder smooth muscle cells on the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa; and

seeding the bladder urothelial cells on the bladder smooth muscle cells attached to the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein, in the step of providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of allowing the bladder smooth muscle cells and bladder urothelial cells seeded on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa to mature in culture such that the bladder smooth muscle cells and bladder urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance.

39. A method for repairing a damaged or diseased urinary tract tissue of a subject, comprising the steps of:

isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from a urinary tract tissue specimen of a subject;

isolating and culturing urothelial cells from the urinary tract tissue specimen of the subject;

providing a tissue culture frame;

providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

positioning the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame;

seeding the smooth muscle cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa; and

seeding the urothelial cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa;

allowing the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells thereon to mature in culture such that the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance;

removing the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa from the tissue culture frame; and

contacting the damaged urinary tract tissue with the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa under conditions such that growth of the urinary tract tissue occurs and the damaged urinary tract tissue is repaired, thereby restoring urological function.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein, in the step of providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein, in the steps of isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from a urinary tract tissue specimen of a subject and isolating and culturing urothelial cells from the urinary tract tissue specimen of the subject, the urinary tract tissue specimen is bladder tissue, and the smooth muscle cells are bladder smooth muscle cells and the urothelial cells are bladder urothelial cells.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein, in the step of seeding the smooth muscle cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the smooth muscle cells are seeded on the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein, in the step of seeding the urothelial cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the urothelial cells are seeded on the serosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein, in the step of seeding the urothelial cells on the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the urothelial cells are seeded on the smooth muscle cells attached to the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa.

45. A method for repairing a damaged urinary tract tissue of a subject, comprising the steps of:

isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from a urinary tract tissue specimen of a subject;

isolating and culturing urothelial cells from the urinary tract tissue specimen of the subject;

providing a tissue culture frame; providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

positioning the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame;

seeding smooth muscle cells on the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa; and

seeding urothelial cells on the serosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa;

allowing the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells thereon to mature in culture such that the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance;

removing the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa from the tissue culture frame; and

contacting the damaged urinary tract tissue with the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa under conditions such that growth of the urinary tract tissue occurs and the damaged urinary tract tissue is repaired, thereby restoring urological function.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein, in the step of providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

47. The method of claim 45 wherein, in the steps of isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from a urinary tract tissue specimen of a subject and isolating and culturing urothelial cells from the urinary tract tissue specimen of the subject, the urinary tract tissue specimen is bladder tissue, and the smooth muscle cells are bladder smooth muscle cells and the urothelial cells are bladder urothelial cells.

48. A method for repairing a damaged urinary tract tissue of a subject, comprising the steps of:

isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from a urinary tract tissue specimen of a subject;

isolating and culturing urothelial cells from the urinary tract tissue specimen of the subject;

providing a tissue culture frame;

providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having a mucosal surface and a serosal surface;

positioning the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame;

seeding smooth muscle cells on the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa; and

seeding urothelial cells on the smooth muscle cells attached to the mucosal surface of the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa;

allowing the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa having the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells thereon to mature in culture such that the smooth muscle cells and urothelial cells exhibit three dimensional growth and matrix penetrance;

removing the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa from the tissue culture frame; and

contacting the damaged urinary tract tissue with the small intestinal submucosa under conditions such that growth of the urinary tract tissue occurs and the damaged urinary tract tissue is repaired, thereby restoring urological function.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein, in the step of providing a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa has been isolated from a mature adult pig.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein, in the steps of isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from a urinary tract tissue specimen of a subject and isolating and culturing urothelial cells from the urinary tract tissue specimen of the subject, the urinary tract tissue specimen is bladder tissue, and the smooth muscle cells are bladder smooth muscle cells and the urothelial cells are bladder urothelial cells.