Mammalian muscle construct and method for producing same

US6207451A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Robert Glenn Dennis · Chapel Hill, US
• Paul Kosnik · Honolulu, US
• William M. Kuzon, Jr. · Ann Arbor, US
• John A. Faulkner · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 15, 1998
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2001
• Expiry date: Sep 15, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2533/52
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A mammalian muscle construct and a method for producing the construct are provided. The mammalian muscle construct includes a substrate and a plurality of separate anchors secured to the substrate. Myogenic precursor cells are provided on the substrate with at least some of the cells in contact with the anchors. The myogenic precursor cells are cultured in vitro under conditions to allow the cells to become confluent between the anchors. The anchors are receptive to the cells and allow the cells to attach thereto, such that placement of the anchors controls the size and shape of the muscle construct formed. Specifically, the anchors include separate fragments of biocompatible material secured to the substrate, wherein cell adhesion molecules are associated with each fragment to facilitate attachment of the precursor cells to the fragment.