Hyaluronic acid derivative and neural stem cells for sci and pnt regeneration

Abstract

A biomaterial for the treatment of spinal cord or of peripheral nerve injury, obtainable by: a) treating a hyaluronic acid derivative with a coating solution promoting Neuronal Stem Cells adhesion, branching and differentiation; b) contacting isolated Neuronal Stem Cells with the hyaluronic acid derivative obtained from step a) and culturing and expanding the absorbed cells in the presence of growth or neurotrophic factors selected from βFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), CNTF (ciliary neurotrophic factor), BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) and GDNF (glial derived neurotrophic factor) or mixtures thereof.

1 . A biomaterial for the treatment of spinal cord or of peripheral nerve injury, obtainable by:
 a) treating a hyaluronic acid derivative with a coating solution promoting Neuronal Stem Cells adhesion, branching and differentiation;   b) contacting isolated Neuronal Stem Cells with the hyaluronic acid derivative obtained from step a) and culturing and expanding the absorbed cells in the presence of growth or neurotrophic factors selected from βFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), CNTF (ciliary neurotrophic factor), BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) and GDNF (glial derived neurotrophic factor) or mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         2 . A biomaterial according to  claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid derivative is selected from esters, amides, cross-linked, percarboxylated and sulphated derivates of hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         3 . A biomaterial according to  claim 2 , wherein the hyaluronic acid derivative is an ester having an esterification degree ranging from 75 to 100%. 
     
     
         4 . A biomaterial according to  claim 3 , wherein the hyaluronic acid derivative is a 100% ester of hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         5 . A biomaterial according to  claim 1 , in form of fibers, gels, non-woven and woven fabrics, laminae and tubes having either continuous or porous walls. 
     
     
         6 . A biomaterial according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating solution comprises fibronectin and laminin. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treatment of spinal cord injury or peripheral nerve injury which comprises the implant, at the site of injury, of the biomaterial of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . Neuronal stem cells grafted on the biomaterial of  claim 1 .