Collagen carrier of therapeutic genetic material, and method

Abstract

A collagen matrix material is charged with a cell growth-promoting derived nucleic acid sequence. The nucleic acid sequence-charged collagen matrix material may be utilized in a method of promoting regeneration of surface cartilage of a joint. In the method, an area of injury is covered with the nucleic acid sequence-charged collagen matrix material, the collagen matrix material is fixed over the area to be treated, and the area is allowed to heal.

1 . A collagen matrix material comprised of a membrane substantially made up of collagen I, collagen III or a mixture thereof, the matrix material carrying a cell growth-promoting derived nucleic acid sequence, wherein said membrane comprises a barrier layer which acts as a barrier to inhibit passage of cells therethrough.  
     
     
         2 . The collagen matrix material of  claim 1 , wherein said barrier layer has at least one smooth face so as to inhibit cell adhesion thereon, said barrier layer further having a fibrous face opposite said smooth face.  
     
     
         3 . The collagen matrix material of  claim 2 , comprised of a multi-layer sheet of collagen membrane material, wherein said multi-layer sheet of collagen membrane material comprises said at least one barrier layer which acts as a barrier to inhibit passage of cells therethrough, wherein said sheet of collagen membrane material further comprises a matrix layer predominately of collagen II having an open sponge-like texture, wherein said matrix layer is adhered to said fibrous face.  
     
     
         4 . The collagen matrix material of  claim 3  wherein said sequence is an isolated nucleic acid sequence.  
     
     
         5 . The collagen matrix material of  claim 3  wherein said sequence is an isolated gene sequence.  
     
     
         6 . The collagen matrix material of  claim 3  wherein said sequence is an isolated DNA sequence.  
     
     
         7 . The collagen matrix material of  claim 3  wherein said sequence promotes cartilage growth.  
     
     
         8 . The collagen matrix material of  claim 3  wherein said sequence promotes bone growth.  
     
     
         9 . A method of promoting regeneration of surface cartilage of a joint, comprising covering an area of damaged cartilage of a joint to be treated, with a collagen matrix material according to  claim 1 , said collagen matrix material carrying a cell growth-promoting nucleic acid sequence; fixing said collagen matrix material over said area; and allowing said area to regenerate cartilage.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said collagen matrix material is comprised of a membrane comprised substantially of collagen I, collagen III or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said collagen matrix material is a multi-layer sheet of collagen membrane material, wherein said multi-layer sheet is comprised of at least one barrier layer which acts as a barrier to inhibit passage of cells therethrough, wherein said sheet of collagen membrane material further comprises a matrix layer substantially of collagen II having an open sponge-like texture.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said barrier layer has at least one smooth face so as to inhibit cell adhesion thereon, said barrier layer further having a fibrous face opposite said smooth face, wherein said matrix layer is adhered to said fibrous face.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said barrier layer is comprised of collagen I, collagen III or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         14 . A method of repairing injury or damage to bone, cartilage or a combination thereof, comprising covering an area to be treated of injured or damaged bone, cartilage or a combination thereof, with a collagen matrix material according to  claim 1 , said collagen matrix material carrying a cell growth-promoting derived nucleic acid sequence; fixing said collagen matrix material over said area; and allowing said area to heal.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said collagen matrix material is comprised of a membrane comprised substantially of collagen I, collagen III or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said collagen matrix material is a multi-layer sheet of collagen membrane material, wherein said multi-layer sheet is comprised of at least one barrier layer which acts as a barrier to inhibit passage of cells therethrough, wherein said sheet of collagen membrane material further comprises a matrix layer substantially of collagen II having an open sponge-like texture.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said barrier layer has at least one smooth face so as to inhibit cell adhesion thereon, said barrier layer further having a fibrous face opposite said smooth face, wherein said matrix layer is adhered to said fibrous face.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said barrier layer is comprised of collagen I, collagen III or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said area is a dental area, maxilofacial area or spinal area.