Method for transplanting cells into the brain and therapeutic uses therefor

Abstract

A method for grafting a cell in the brain of a mammalian subject is accomplished by attaching the cell to a support matrix so that the cell attaches to the matrix surface, and implanting the support matrix with the attached cell into the brain. Preferred support matrices are glass or plastic microbeads, either solid or porous, having a diameter from about 90 to about 125 μm. The method employs cells of different types, preferably cells of neural or paraneural origin, such as adrenal chromaffin cells. Also useful are cell lines grown in vitro. Cells not of neural or paraneural origin, such as fibroblasts, may also be used following genetic alteration to express a desired neural product such as a neurotransmitter or a neuronal growth factor. The method is used to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for grafting a cell in the brain of a mammalian subject comprising allowing said cell to attach to the surface of a support matrix in vitro such that said cell is not encapsulate by said matrix and implanting said support matrix with said attached cell into said brain.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said support matrix is a porous or nonporous microbead.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said microbead has a diameter from about 90 to about 150 μm.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said support matrix is made of a material selected from the group consisting of silicone oxide, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypentene, acrylonitrile polymer, nylon, natural polysaccharide, modified polysaccharide, amylase, collagen, natural cellulose, modified cellulose, agar, magnetite, hyaluronic acid, and extracellular matrix.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein said support matrix is silicon oxide.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said cell is of neural or paraneural origin.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said cell is an adrenal chromaffin cell.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said cell is a retinal pigment epithelial cell.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said cell is from a cell line cultured in vitro.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein said cultured cell is a fibroblast.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein said cultured cell has been genetically modified by transfection of genetic material encoding a protein or proteins rendering said genetically modified cell capable of producing a neurotransmitter substance or a neuronal growth factor.  
     
     
         12 . A method for treating a neurological disease in a subject comprising grafting into the brain of said subject an effective number of cells capable of treating said disease according to the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein said disease is selected from a group consisting of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.