PI Stephen Badylak
Title Evaluation of ECM Hydrogel as a Treatment for Stroke Injury
Description: Products composed of mammalian Extracellular Matrix (ECM) have been regulated as a “device” by the FDA, and these materials have been used as a bioscaffold for the repair and reconstruction of soft tissues for the past 15 years. Work in the Badylak laboratory has shown that such matrix materials, when properly prepared, can minimize fibrous tissue deposition and induce a constructive and functional tissue remodeling response. This constructive response is due, at least in part, to bioactive cryptic peptides created during the process of scaffold degradation. Bioactive properties of these oligopeptides include chemoattraction for endogenous stem and progenitor cells, angiogenesis, and modulation of the innate immune response toward a regulatory and constructive “M2”phenotype.
We have developed a (patented) method of creating hydrogel forms of ECM scaffolds. These hydrogels are soluble (liquid form) at room temperature and form a gel at body temperature. The physical and rheologic characteristics of these hydrogels are “tuneable” to a moderate degree and these characteristics are dependent upon protein concentration and source tissue. The fundamental concept of the present proposal is the use of inductive ECM hydrogels to promote formation of new neuronal (brain) tissue and functional neural networks with associated (at least partial) restoration of cognitive and behavioral properties. The primary clinical target is occlusive stroke. A novel minimally invasive hydrogel delivery method is described herein which has the additional benefit of removal of necrotic/inflammatory debris from the affected site.
Source: CR Bard
Amount $200,000