Bioactive removal of hypertrophic scars

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention includes methods for the long-term augmentation and/or repair of skin defects (scars, skin laxness, skin thinning, and skin augmentation), cellulite, breast tissue, wounds and burns, urological and gastroesophageal sphincter structures, hernias, periodontal disease and disorders, tendon and ligament tears and baldness, by the injection or direct surgical placement/implantation of autologous cultured cells and/or cultured cell-produced extracellular matrix that is derived from connective tissue, dermis, fascia, lamina propria, stroma, adipose tissue, muscle, tendon, ligament or the hair follicle. The corrective application is done on tissue proximal or within the area of the defect. The method involves retrieving viable cells from the subject, a neonate or human fetus. Alternatively, the corrective application involves the cells placed in a matrix, preferably comprised of autologous extracellular matrix constituents as a three-dimensional structure or as a suspension, prior to placement into a position with respect to the subject's defect. In a further embodiment, the preferable autologous extracellular matrix constituents are collected from culture and placed in a position with respect to the subject's defect.

1 . A method for removing a hypertrophic scar tissue defect in a subject, comprising introducing an in vitro preparation of cells for implantation proximal or within the tissue defect site of the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said subject is a human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are autologous to the subject. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are allogenic to the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are cultured in vitro. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are expanded in vitro. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cells are obtained from a skin biopsy. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are fibroblasts. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells comprise dermal fibroblasts. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are papillary fibroblasts, reticular fibroblasts or fascia fibroblasts. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are adipocytic cells, preadipocytes and adipocytes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells comprise myofibroblasts, lamina propria fibroblasts, connective tissue fibroblasts, stromal fibroblasts or nondifferentiated mesenchymal cells. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are derived from connective tissue, stromal tissue, lamina propria, adipose tissue, fascia, dermis, reticular dermis, papillary dermis, muscle or bone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cells are taken from cells derived from tissue sources protected from sun exposure, from a fetus or from a juvenile. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising culturing the said cells in vitro with autologous serum, human serum, nonhuman serum, or serum-free medium. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cells are placed into the tissue by a method selected from the group consisting of injection, engraftment, engraftment by threading, and direct placement. 
     
     
         17 . A method for removing a hypertrophic scar tissue defect in a subject, comprising introducing an in vitro preparation of cell-produced extracellular matrix comprising the steps of:
 a) retrieving a plurality of viable cells from a tissue;   b) culturing the cells in vitro in a culture vessel for a time sufficient for the cells to produce extracellular matrix;   c) separating the extracellular matrix produced by the cells from the culture vessel;   d) collecting the extracellular matrix; and   e) placing the collected extracellular matrix proximal or within the tissue defect site.   
     
     
         18 . A method of  claim 18  wherein said cells are autologous to the subject. 
     
     
         19 . A method of  claim 18  wherein said cells are expanded in vitro. 
     
     
         20 . A method of  claim 18  wherein said subject is human.