Cell-support matrix having narrowly defined uniformly vertically and non-randomly organized porosity and pore density and a method for preparation thereof
A cell-support matrix having narrowly defined uniformly vertically and non-randomly organized porosity and pore density and a method for preparation thereof. The matrix suitable for preparation of cellular or acellular implants for growth and de novo formation of an articular hyaline-like cartilage. A gel-matrix composite system comprising collagen-based matrix having a narrowly defined porosity capable of inducing hyaline-like cartilage production from chondrocytes in vivo and in vitro.
1. A collagen-based cell-support matrix having narrowly defined and uniformly vertically and non-randomly organized porosity and pore density wherein said matrix is prepared from a collagen-based biocompatible material, wherein said porosity is determined by pore size and wherein said pore size is substantially homogeneous in diameter.
2. The matrix of claim 1 wherein said biocompatible material comprises:
(i) a collagen selected from the group consisting of Type I collagen, Type II collagen, and Type IV collagen, and
(ii) optionally gelatin, agarose, hyaluronin, cell-contracted collagen containing proteoglycan, glycosaminoglycan, glycoprotein, fibronectin, laminin, bioactive peptide growth factors, cytokine, elastin, fibrin, synthetic polymeric fiber made of A poly-acid polylactic, polyglycolic, polyamino acid, polycaprolactone, polypeptide gel, a copolymer thereof, a precursor thereof and combination thereof, wherein said precursor is selected from the group consisting of alpha 1 (Type I) peptide, alpha 2 (Type I) peptide, 2 (alpha 1, Type I) peptide, 1 (alpha 2, Type I) peptide, 3 (alpha 1, Type II) and a combination thereof.
3. The matrix of claim 2 wherein said biocompatible material is Type I collagen.
4. The matrix of claim 3 wherein said pore size is set to be at least 95% homogeneous within a range of about 200±100 microns.
5. The matrix of claim 4 wherein said matrix is suitable as an acellular or a cellular implant for treatment and repair of articular cartilage injuries or damage.
6. The matrix of claim 4 wherein said matrix is suitable for an acellular or a cellular implant for treatment of connective tissue injuries.
7. The matrix of claim 4 wherein said matrix is suitable for in vitro production of a hyaline or hyaline-like cartilage, tendon, ligament or meniscus.
8. The matrix of claim 3 wherein said pore size is set to be at least 98% homogeneous within a range of about 200±100 microns.
9. A collagen-based support matrix having narrowly defined and uniformly vertically and non-randomly organized porosity and pore density wherein said matrix is prepared from a Type I collagen, wherein said porosity is determined by the pore size of about 200±100 microns and wherein said pore size is about 95% homogeneous.
10. The matrix of claim 9 seeded with a suspension of chondrocytes in a gel solution.
11. The matrix of claim 10 wherein said gel is collagen, a sol-gel or hydrogel.
12. The matrix of claim 11 wherein said sol-gel has a transition temperature from sol to gel about 37° C.
13. The matrix of claim 9 wherein said chondrocytes are seeded in cell density of from about 25,000 to about 300,000 cells per 25 microliters.