Cellular scaffold
A cellular scaffold that is suitable for tissue regeneration, cell culture and in vitro assays. The invention relates to a layered cell scaffold that is seeded with mesenchymal and ectodermal cells. The layered cellular scaffold comprises an inoculum of mesenchymal cells and ectodermal cells positioned between two opposing scaffolds in a sandwich configuration. The layered cell scaffold provides a functional skin equivalent that is suitable for transplantation and in vitro cell-based assays.
1. A cellular scaffold arrangement comprising:
a first collagen cell scaffold having a first surface and a second surface wherein said second surface of said first cell scaffold is seeded with mesenchymal cells; and
a second collagen cell scaffold having a first surface and a second surface wherein said first surface of said second cell scaffold is seeded with ectodermal cells;
wherein said second surface of said first scaffold is in contact with said first surface of said second scaffold;
wherein said second cell scaffold has the consistency of a sponge.
2. The cellular scaffold-of claim 1 , wherein said first cell scaffold has a consistency selected from a sponge, a membrane, a gel, and combinations thereof.
3. The cellular scaffold of claim 1 , wherein said mesenchymal cells are derived from at least one of umbilical cord blood, placenta, bone marrow and peripheral blood.
4. The cellular scaffold of claim 1 , wherein said mesenchymal cells comprise fibroblasts.
5. The cellular scaffold of claim 1 , wherein said ectodermal cells comprise precursor keratinocytes.
6. The cellular scaffold of claim 1 , wherein said ectodermal cells are derived from basal keratinocytes.
7. The cellular scaffold of claim 5 , wherein said precursor keratinocytes are inhibited in collagenase production.
8. A layered cellular scaffold comprising:
a first collagen cellular scaffold having a contacting surface that is seeded with a plurality of cells comprising ectodermal cells;
a second collagen cellular scaffold having a contacting surface that is seeded with mesenchymal cells; and
a scaffold interface wherein said first scaffold contacting surface substantially contacts said second scaffold contacting surface;
wherein said first cellular scaffold has the consistency of a sponge.
9. The layered cellular scaffold of claim 8 , wherein said second cellular scaffold has a consistency selected from a sponge, a membrane, a gel, and combinations thereof.
10. The layered cellular scaffold of claim 8 , wherein said mesenchymal cells are derived from at least one of umbilical cord blood, placenta, bone marrow and peripheral blood.
11. The layered cellular scaffold of claim 8 , wherein said mesenchymal cells comprise fibroblasts.
12. The layered cellular scaffold of claim 8 , wherein said ectodermal cells comprise precursor keratinocytes.
13. The layered cellular scaffold of claim 8 , wherein said ectodermal cells are derived from basal keratinocytes.
14. The layered cellular scaffold of claim 12 , wherein said precursor keratinocytes are inhibited in collagenase production.
15. A method of making a layered cellular scaffold comprising:
providing a first cell substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
seeding said second surface of said first cell substrate with ectodermal cells;
providing a second cell substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
seeding said first surface of said second cell substrate with mesenchymal cells; and
contacting said second surface of said first cell substrate with said first surface of said second cell substrate thereby producing said layered cellular scaffold;
wherein said first and second cell substrates comprise collagen; and
wherein said first cell substrate has the consistency of a sponge.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said second cell substrate has a consistency selected from a sponge, a membrane, a gel, and combinations thereof.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein said mesenchymal cells are derived from at least one of umbilical cord blood, placenta, bone marrow and peripheral blood.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein said mesenchymal cells are fibroblasts.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein said ectodermal cells are precursor keratinocytes.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein said ectodermal cells are derived from basal keratinocytes.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein said precursor keratinocytes are inhibited in collagenase production.
22. A method for making a layered cellular scaffold comprising:
providing a first cell scaffold and a second cell scaffold;
seeding a surface of said first cell scaffold with mesenchymal cells;
seeding a surface of said second cell scaffold with ectodermal cells; and
substantially joining said seeded surfaces to create said layered cellular scaffold;
wherein said first and said second cell scaffolds comprise collagen; and
wherein said second cell scaffold has the consistency of a sponge.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein said first cell scaffold has a consistency selected from a sponge, a membrane, a gel, and combinations thereof.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein said mesenchymal cells are derived from at least one of umbilical cord blood, placenta, bone marrow and peripheral blood.
25. The method of claim 22 , wherein said mesenchymal cells are fibroblasts.
26. The method of claim 22 , wherein said ectodermal cells are precursor keratinocytes.
27. The method of claim 22 , wherein said ectodermal cells are derived from basal keratinocytes.
28. The method of claim 26 , wherein said precursor keratinocytes are inhibited in collagenase production.