Wound healing and tissue engineering

Abstract

The present invention is directed to wound healing scaffolds cografted with a population of stem cells, wherein the population of stem cells are ABCB5+ stem cells. The scaffolds are, for instance, collagen glycosaminoglycan scaffolds.

1 . A wound healing biological tissue scaffold seeded with ABCB5(+) stem cells, wherein the scaffold is a porous matrix of cross-linked collagen glycosaminoglycan, wherein the scaffold includes a separate semi-permeable layer and, wherein at least 90% of the total cells present in the scaffold are ABCB5+ stem cells. 
     
     
         2 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-permeable layer is polysiloxane (silicone). 
     
     
         13 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is a mesh scaffold. 
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold has a pore size of about 10-500 micrometers. 
     
     
         17 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold has a pore size of about 50-350 micrometers. 
     
     
         18 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold has a pore size of about 70-200 micrometers. 
     
     
         19 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the glycosaminoglycan is selected from the group consisting of chondroitin 6-sulfate, chondroitin 4-sulfate, heparin, heparin sulfate, keratin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bioactive molecule effective to enhance wound healing. 
     
     
         21 . The scaffold of  claim 20 , wherein the bioactive molecule is a member selected from the group consisting of growth factors, anti-inflammatory agents, wound healing agents, anti-scarring agents, antimicrobial agents, cell adhesion peptides, tissue generation modulating cells, nucleic acids, nucleic acid analogues, proteins, peptides, amino acids, ceramic, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is sized as 2 in ×2 in (25 sq cm), 4 in ×5 in (125 sq cm), 4 in ×10 in (250 sq cm), or 8 in ×10 in (500 sq cm). 
     
     
         23 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the cell population includes less than 5% keratinocytes and/or epidermal cells. 
     
     
         38 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the ABCB5+ stem cells are ABCB5+ ocular stem cells. 
     
     
         39 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the ABCB5+ stem cells are ABCB5+ dermal mesenchymal stem cells. 
     
     
         40 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein at least 95% of the population of stem cells are ABCB5+ stem cells. 
     
     
         41 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the collagen is bovine tendon collagen.