Methods of using regenerative cells in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease and related disorders

Abstract

Cells present in adipose tissue are used to treat patients, including patients with PVD and related diseases or disorders. Methods of treating patients include processing adipose tissue to deliver a concentrated amount of stem cells obtained from the adipose tissue to a patient. The methods may be practiced in a closed system so that the stem cells are not exposed to an external environment prior to being administered to a patient. Accordingly, in a preferred method, cells present in adipose tissue are placed directly into a recipient along with such additives necessary to promote, engender or support a therapeutic benefit.

1 . A method for treating peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in a patient, comprising administering to the patient by injection a concentration of regenerative cells.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is human.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are comprised of stem cells.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are comprised of progenitor cells.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are comprised of a combination of stem cells and progenitor cells.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are administered to treat a defect or disorder of a blood vessel.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are administered to treat Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are administered to treat at least one of arteriosclerosis, traumatic injury of vessels and inflammatory arteritides.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are administered to treat a defect or disorder of extracoronary tissue of the patient.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises administering a bolus of the regenerative cells.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises administering multiple doses of the regenerative cells.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises administering one or more angiogenic factors.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the method further comprises administering one or more immunosuppressive drugs.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are administered via at least one of an intravenous, intra-muscular or subcutaneous administration route.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises administering the regenerative cells to the patient's vasculature.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are grown in cell culture prior to being administered to the patient.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the regenerative cells are grown in culture conditions that promote differentiation towards an angiogenic phenotype.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cell culture conditions promote differentiation towards an endothelial phenotype.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cell culture is performed on a scaffold material to generate a two or three dimensional construct that can be placed on or within the patient.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the scaffold material is resorbable in vivo.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the regenerative cells are modified by gene transfer such that expression of one or more genes in the modified regenerative cells is altered.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the modification results in alteration of the level of angiogenesis in the subject.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the modification results in an improved oxygen supply of pre-existent small blood vessels in the subject.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the modification results in alteration of the homing properties of the regenerative cells.  
     
     
         25 . A method for treating PVD in a patient, comprising administering to the patient by injection a concentration of adipose tissue derived regenerative cells, wherein the composition is administered to the same subject from which the adipose tissue was originally harvested.  
     
     
         26 . A method for promoting blood vessel growth in a patient comprising contacting by injection a localized area of tissue with a concentration of regenerative cells such that blood vessel growth within the area of tissue is induced.