Scaffolds for cell transplantation

Abstract

A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition controls egress of a resident cell or progeny thereof. The devices mediate active recruitment, modification, and release of host cells from the material.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A vaccine device for enhancing an immune response to a microorganism comprising:
 a scaffold comprising open, interconnected macropores;   a cell recruitment signal that recruits immune cells to the scaffold; and   a microbial antigen, wherein the antigen is incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold, and wherein the antigen enhances an immune response to the microorganism.   
     
     
         27 . The device of claim  1 , wherein said antigen comprises an infectious disease associated antigen. 
     
     
         28 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the scaffold composition comprises pores greater than 20 μm in size. 
     
     
         29 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the scaffold composition comprises pores in the range of 400 μm to 500 μm in size. 
     
     
         30 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the scaffold is selected from polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) polymers, alginates and alginate derivatives, gelatin, collagen, fibrin, hyaluronic acid, laminin rich gels, agarose, natural and synthetic polysaccharides, polyamino acids, polypeptides, polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyphosphazines, poly(vinyl alcohols), poly(alkylene oxides), poly(allylamines)(PAM), poly(acrylates), modified styrene polymers, pluronic polyols, polyoxamers, poly(uronic acids), polyvinylpyrrolidone) and combinations, copolymers, or graft copolymers thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the scaffold comprises a poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) polymer; an alginate; or an alginate and a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the cell recruitment signal comprises granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). 
     
     
         33 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the immune cells are T-cells, B-cells, NK cells, or dendritic cells. 
     
     
         34 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the antigen is covalently linked to the scaffold. 
     
     
         35 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the antigen comprises a protein or a peptide. 
     
     
         36 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the antigen comprises a bacterial or a viral antigen. 
     
     
         37 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the antigen comprises a purified antigen, multiple antigens, or a bacterial cell lysate. 
     
     
         38 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the antigen comprises an HIV-associated antigen. 
     
     
         39 . The device of claim  1 , wherein the antigen comprises an antigen associated with malaria or tuberculosis. 
     
     
         40 . The device of claim  1 , further comprising an immune response-promoting bioactive factor. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the immune response-promoting bioactive factor is a DNA molecule or an RNA molecule. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the immune response-promoting bioactive factor is a CpG rich oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         43 . The device of claim  1 , further comprising an extracellular matrix (ECM) component. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein said ECM component comprises an RGD sequence. 
     
     
         45 . The device of claim  1 , further comprising an adjuvant, wherein the adjuvant is a growth factor, a chemokine, a cytokine, or an antibody. 
     
     
         46 . A vaccine device for enhancing an immune response to a microorganism comprising:
 a scaffold which scaffold comprises open, interconnected macropores;   a cell recruitment signal comprising GM-CSF that recruits immune cells to the scaffold, wherein the immune cells comprise T-cells, B-cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, and   a microorganism antigen, wherein the antigen is incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold, and wherein the antigen modifies the recruited immune cells, enhancing an immune response to the microorganism.   
     
     
         47 . The device of claim  21 , wherein the antigen comprises a protein or a peptide. 
     
     
         48 . A method of enhancing an immune defense to a microorganism comprising administering to a subject in need thereof the device of claim  1 .