Biomaterial for suturing

Abstract

A biomaterial for suturing comprising a physiologically compatible support material coated with a cellular population with proliferative and/or differentiation capacity, characteristics which facilitate the regeneration of the sutured tissue. This biomaterial for suturing not only brings together the two edges of an open wound, but also contributes actively to the healing process, thereby accelerating the tissue repair process. Also disclosed are methods for making the biomaterial and methods for using the biomaterials in therapy.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A biomaterial for suturing, comprising 
 a) a support material; and    b) a population of cells coating the support material, wherein the cells are capable of proliferation or differentiation.    
     
     
         30 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the support material is absorbable or non-absorbable thread.  
     
     
         31 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the support material is natural or synthetic thread.  
     
     
         32 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the support material is a thread with a monofilament or multifilament structure.  
     
     
         33 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the support material is a suturing thread joined to a needle.  
     
     
         34 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the support material is a staple.  
     
     
         35 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the cell population comprises stem cells.  
     
     
         36 . The biomaterial of  claim 35 , wherein the cell population comprises adult multi-potent stem cells.  
     
     
         37 . The biomaterial of  claim 35 , wherein the cell population comprises adult multipotent mesodermal stem cells.  
     
     
         38 . The biomaterial of  claim 35 , wherein the cell population comprises adult multipotent stem cells derived from adipose tissue.  
     
     
         39 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the cell population comprises cells which express at least one characteristic of a specialized cell.  
     
     
         40 . The biomaterial of  claim 35 , wherein the cell population comprises at least a cell selected from the group consisting of epithelial cell, endothelial cell, adipocyte, miocyte chondrocyte, osteocyte, neuron, astrocyte, oligodentrocyte, hepatocyte and pancreatic cell.  
     
     
         41 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the cell population is a heterogeneous cell population.  
     
     
         42 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the cell population comprises genetically modified cells.  
     
     
         43 . The biomaterial of  claim 42 , wherein the genetically modified cells comprise a polynucleotide that codes for a protein involved in tissue repair.  
     
     
         44 . The biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the cell population comprises an autologous, alogenic or xenogenic cellular population or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         45 . A method for preparing a biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the method comprises: 
 a). culturing suitable cells in an appropriate culturing medium;    b). immerse the support material in the same culturing medium    c). inoculating the cultured cells onto the supporting material and culturing the supporting material with the inoculated cells to allow the cells to coat the supporting material; and    d). selecting supporting material with suitable cell coating to obtain the suturing material.    
     
     
         46 . A method for preparing a biomaterial of  claim 45 , wherein the cells are joined to the support material by adhesion.  
     
     
         47 . A method for preparing a biomaterial of  claim 45 , wherein the support material is pre-coated with a coating material that facilitates the adherence of the cells to the support material.  
     
     
         48 . A method for preparing a biomaterial of  claim 47 , wherein the coating material is selected from a group consisting of peptides, protein antigens, sugars and lipids.  
     
     
         49 . A method for preparing a biomaterial of  claim 48 , wherein the protein is an extracellular matrix proteins from eukaryote cells or an antibody.  
     
     
         50 . A method for promoting wound healing or tissue repair, wherein the wound has edges, the method comprising bringing the edges of the wound together using the biomaterial of  claim 29 , wherein the wound is accidental or surgical.