UCLA researchers in the Department of Bioengineering have developed a novel detachable hybrid microneedle depot (d-HMND) for the targeted delivery of mesenchymal stem cells.
BACKGROUND:
Stem cell biology has been widely applied to the treatment of tissue damage, due to the ability of stem cells to form, repair, and maintain tissues and organs after injury. Specifically, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated the most therapeutic promise for tissue regeneration because of their immunosuppressive abilities, compatibility with ex vivo culture, ease of isolation, and widespread tissue distribution. MSCs are currently delivered by injection in most clinical applications. However, this treatment strategy causes significant issues with cell viability and transport into the target tissue, due to limited migration capacity. Although cell stability may be significantly improved by encapsulation within particles, these treatments have low therapeutic efficiency unless a large number of MScs are used. Further, despite the benefits of targeted MSC delivery using conventional syringes, this strategy is highly invasive and risks forming scar tissue. The extensive challenges associated with stem cell delivery require an innovative approach that is both targeted and minimally invasive, to achieve high treatment efficiency with increased cell viability.
INNOVATION:
UCLA researchers have created a detachable hybrid microneedle depot (d-HMND) for localized stem cell delivery for use in tissue regeneration therapy. This system consists of an array of microneedles that have been coated with an outer polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) shell and an internal gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-MSC mixture (GMM). The hybrid microneedle has been optimized for cell viability and the appropriate mechanical strength to penetrate tissue. The d-HMND offers increased MSC viability and efficiency of stem cell delivery to the tissue of interest. This invention has been shown to be effective in tissue regeneration in a mouse skin wound model, and is a promising platform for targeted MSC delivery to heal tissue damage in patients.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Tissue regeneration therapy
ADVANTAGES:
• Excellent mechanical integrity with strength sufficient to penetrate the target tissue
• Localized delivery of mesenchymal stem cells
• Increased therapeutic efficiency and mesenchymal stem cell viability
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:
The novel inhibitors have been demonstrated to be effective both in vitro and in vivo in a mouse skin wound model.