Compositions for regenerating defective or absent myocardium

Abstract

Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition can also have an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, then including also added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function. Methods for regenerating defective or absent myocardium apply a composition to a site of myocardium in need of regeneration using a delivery mode appropriate for the particular formulation.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . A method of recruiting sufficient stem cells to a site of defect in myocardium to induce a process selected from the group consisting of phenotypic changes in the recruited stem cells, establishment of cell-cell connections, establishment of vascular supply to the site, establishment of normal tissue specific metabolism, coupling electrical conduction from new cells to existing cells and pathways, establishment of cell-extracellular matrix connections by way of cell-adhesion to matrix proteins in the extracellular matrix, establishment of protein-cell connections, protein-protein interactions which lead to organizing the cells into tissues, temporary cell adhesion processes as a result of embryogenesis of the recruited cells, morphogenesis of the cells, and maintenance of differentiated cells, said method comprising contacting the defect in myocardium with a sufficient amount of extracellular matrix material, wherein when the defect is contacted with sufficient extracellular matrix material and upon sufficient stem cell recruitment, new myocardial tissue is formed restoring cardiac function.  
     
     
         28 . A method as in  claim 27 , wherein the extracellular matrix is mammalian extracellular matrix.  
     
     
         29 . A method as in  claim 27 , wherein the extracellular matrix is an emulsion, injectable, liquid, gel, or paste.  
     
     
         30 . A method as in  claim 27 , wherein the extracellular matrix is formulated in a material form selected from the group consisting of a solid sheet, multilaminate sheets, a powder, a plug, a strand, a suture, a coil, a cylinder, a weave, a strip, a spray, a vapor, a patch, a sponge, a cream, and a coating.  
     
     
         31 . A method as in  claim 28 , wherein the mammalian extracellular matrix is selected from the group consisting of small intestine submucosa (SIS), urinary bladder submucosa (UBS), urinary basement membrane (UBM), liver basement membrane (LBM), stomach submucosa (SS), collagen from animal sources, collagen from plant sources, synthesized extracellular matrix in cultures from cells (Matrigel™), dermal extracellular matrix material, subcutaneous extracellular matrix material, large intestine extracellular matrix material, placental extracellular matrix material, ornamentum extracellular matrix material, heart extracellular matrix material, and lung extracellular matrix material.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the contacting step comprises delivering the extracellular matrix by a delivery means selected from the group consisting of injecting, suturing, stapling, injecting with a percutaneous catheter, CO 2  powering emission of fine emulsion, micronizing an injectable solution, ink jet delivery, physically depositing a sponge, physically depositing a patch, physically depositing a strip, and physically depositing a formed scaffold of any shape.  
     
     
         33 . A method of accomplishing myocardial tissue regeneration and restoring cardiac function at a site of defect in myocardial tissue by triggering protein activation and activation of nearby cells in the defective myocardial tissue comprising contacting the defective myocardial tissue with sufficient extracellular matrix material having functional proteins that interact with structural proteins and migrating or recruited stem cells, wherein upon contact with sufficient extracellular matrix material new myocardial tissue is formed restoring cardiac function, and no exogenous agents or stimulus are applied to accomplish the myocardial tissue regeneration and restoration of function.