Adipose tissue-derived adult stem cells for the repair of articular cartilage fractures and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention provides cells, methods and compositions based upon the use of adipose tissue-derived adult stem cells in the repair of articular cartilage fractures or defects. The invention is useful in providing a treatment of articular cartilage fractures in a clinical setting.

1 . A composition comprising an isolated adipose tissue-derived adult stem cell that can differentiate into a chondrocyte in combination with a viscous, biocompatible liquid material implanted into a host, wherein the host is in need of articular cartilage repair.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible liquid is capable of gelling at body temperature.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the biocompatible liquid is selected from the group consisting of alginate, collagen, fibrin, hyaline, or plasma.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1  in combination with a malleable, three dimensional matrix capable of filling an irregular cartilage defect.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the matrix is selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic-polylactic acid, poly-glycolic acid, poly-lactic acid, or suture-like material.  
   
   
       6 . A composition comprising an isolated adipose tissue-derived adult stem cell that can differentiate into a chondrocyte and implanted into host combined with a malleable, three dimensional matrix capable of filling an irregular cartilage defect and a solid phase, biocompatible material of sufficient structural integrity to serve as an anchor within the cancellous bone underlying the articular cartilage defect.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the biocompatible material comprises an isolated adipose tissue-derived stem cell that can differentiate into an osteoblast.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the isolated adipose tissue-derived stem cell is grown in a matrix in vitro prior to implantation.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is human.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is modified with a nucleic acid.  
   
   
       11 . A method of treating an articular cartilage defect in a host comprising implanting an isolated adipose tissue-derived adult stem cell that can differentiate into a chondrocyte.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the isolated adipose tissue-derived adult stem cell is in combination with a viscous, biocompatible liquid material.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biocompatible liquid is capable of gelling at body temperature.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the biocompatible liquid is selected from the group consisting of alginate, collagen, fibrin, hyaline, or plasma.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising a malleable, three dimensional matrix capable of filling an irregular cartilage defect.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the matrix is selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic-polylactic acid, poly-glycolic acid, poly-lactic acid, or suture-like material.  
   
   
       17 . A method of treating an articular cartilage defect in a host comprising implanting a composition comprising an isolated adipose tissue-derived adult stem cell that can differentiate into a chondrocyte, a malleable, three dimensional matrix capable of filling an irregular cartilage defect and a solid phase, biocompatible material of sufficient structural integrity to serve as an anchor within the cancellous bone underlying the articular cartilage defect.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the biocompatible material comprises an isolated adipose tissue-derived stem cell that can differentiate into an osteoblast.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the isolated adipose tissue-derived stem cell that can differentiate into an osteoblast is grown in an matrix in vitro prior to implantation.