WOUND HEALING AND TISSUE ENGINEERING
The present invention is directed to wound healing scaffolds cografted with a population of stem cells, wherein the population of stem cells are ABCB 5 + stem cells. The scaffolds are, for instance, collagen glycosaminoglycan scaffolds.
1 . A wound healing biological tissue scaffold seeded with ABCB5(+) stem cells, wherein the scaffold is a porous matrix of cross-linked collagen glycosaminoglycan, wherein the scaffold includes a separate semi-permeable layer and, wherein at least 90% of the total cells present in the scaffold are ABCB5+ stem cells.
2 - 11 . (canceled)
12 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the semi-permeable layer is polysiloxane (silicone).
13 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is a mesh scaffold.
14 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold has a pore size of about 10-500 micrometers.
17 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold has a pore size of about 50-350 micrometers.
18 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold has a pore size of about 70-200 micrometers.
19 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the glycosaminoglycan is selected from the group consisting of chondroitin 6-sulfate, chondroitin 4-sulfate, heparin, heparin sulfate, keratin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and combinations thereof.
20 . The scaffold of claim 1 , further comprising at least one bioactive molecule effective to enhance wound healing.
21 . The scaffold of claim 20 , wherein the bioactive molecule is a member selected from the group consisting of growth factors, anti-inflammatory agents, wound healing agents, anti-scarring agents, antimicrobial agents, cell adhesion peptides, tissue generation modulating cells, nucleic acids, nucleic acid analogues, proteins, peptides, amino acids, ceramic, and combinations thereof.
22 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is sized as 2 in ×2 in (25 sq cm), 4 in ×5 in (125 sq cm), 4 in ×10 in (250 sq cm), or 8 in ×10 in (500 sq cm).
23 - 36 . (canceled)
37 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the cell population includes less than 5% keratinocytes and/or epidermal cells.
38 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the ABCB5+ stem cells are ABCB5+ ocular stem cells.
39 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the ABCB5+ stem cells are ABCB5+ dermal mesenchymal stem cells.
40 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein at least 95% of the population of stem cells are ABCB5+ stem cells.
41 . The scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the collagen is bovine tendon collagen.