WNT-ACTIVATED ADIPOSE-DERIVED STEM CELL APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS

Abstract

The WNT-ACTIVATED ADIPOSE-DERIVED STEM CELL APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (hereinafter WAADSC) disclosed herein in various embodiments provide for production of an isolated and enriched population of mesenchymal stem cells that have an active Wnt signaling demonstrated by the elevated expression of Lrg5 marker and/or Nestin in more than 50% of the population. Such an autologous cell population may, in embodiments, be injected into cerebral ventricles of patients with neurodegenerative diseases to yield therapeutic results, such as halting the progression of certain conditions and/or ameliorating specific symptoms thereof

Claims

1. A composition of mesenchymal stem cells, comprising: adipose-derived, Wnt-activated, mesenchymal stem cells.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein at least 50% of the adipose-derived, Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells express Lrg5 and nestin.

3. A method for producing a composition of Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells, comprising: exposing mesenchymal stem cells to Activin A, bFGF and a combination of signaling amino acids.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: deriving the mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue.

5. A therapeutic method, comprising: applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of degenerative central nervous system pathology.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells further comprises: injecting the Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into at least one cerebral ventricle.

7. A therapeutic method, comprising: applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells further comprises: nebulizing the Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells for inhalation by a patient.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells further comprises: injecting the Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into lung tissue.

10. A therapeutic method, comprising: applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of diabetes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells further comprises: injecting the Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into pancreatic tissue.

12. A therapeutic method, comprising: applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of arthritis.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein applying Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells further comprises: injecting the Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into joint tissue.

14. A method for producing adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells, comprising: suspending adipose cells in a culture flask with media with antibiotic and a dissociating enzyme to yield a first suspension; incubating the first suspension; centrifuging the first suspension; removing a first supernatant; adding the media and growth factors to yield a second suspension, wherein the growth factors comprise at least one of Activin A and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor; incubating the second suspension; removing a second supernatant; adding the media and the growth factors to yield a third suspension; applying at least one recombinant cell-dissociation enzyme to the third suspension; centrifuging the third suspension; removing a third supernatant; adding the media and the growth factors to yield a fourth suspension; adding the media and the growth factors to yield confluent adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the adipose cells are derived from at least one liposuction procedure.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: batch freezing the confluent adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells to yield at least one frozen dose.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one frozen dose comprises at least one therapeutic dose and at least one quality control dose.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: thawing the at least one frozen dose to yield a thawed dose; adding sterile saline to the thawed dose to yield a fifth suspension; centrifuging the fifth suspension; removing a fifth supernatant; adding the sterile saline to yield a sixth suspension; centrifuging the sixth suspension; removing a sixth supernatant; adding an injectable volume of sterile saline to yield an injectable dose of adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: injecting the injectable dose of adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into at least one cerebral ventricle.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: injecting the injectable dose of adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into pancreatic tissue.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising: injecting the injectable dose of adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into lung tissue.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising: injecting the injectable dose of adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into heart tissue.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising: injecting the injectable dose of adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells into joint tissue.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising: nebulizing the injectable dose of adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells to yield an inhalable dose of adipose-derived Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein batch freezing further comprises: applying a second recombinant cell-dissociation enzyme; assessing cell count and viability; and when the cell count is greater than a minimum threshold: washing by centrifugation in HBSS; aliquoting washed doses in cryovials with protectant; and freezing the aliquoted washed doses in a vapor phase of liquid nitrogen to yield the at least one frozen dose.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein the media comprises a basal media and a media supplement,

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the basal media comprises one of DMEM-F12, RPMI, Williams or ABStem media.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the media supplement comprises a mixture of Insulin, Sodium Selenite, Vitronectin, L-Leucine, L-Arginine and Taurine.

29. The method of claim 14, wherein the antibiotic comprises Penicillin and Streptomycin cell culture.

30. The method of claim 14, wherein the dissociating enzyme comprises Dispase at a concentration of 1 UI/mL and Collagenase at a concentration of 2 mg/mL.

31. The method of claim 14, wherein the Activin A is prepared to a concentration of 5 ng/mL and the basic Fibroblast Growth Factor is prepared to a concentration of 10 ng/mL.

32. The method of claim 14, wherein the growth factors comprise both Activin A and Fibroblast Growth Factors.

33. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one recombinant cell-dissociation enzyme comprises TrypLE.

34. The method of claim 14, wherein centrifuging the first suspension, the second suspension, and the third suspension is performed at approximately 250 G.

35. The method of claim 14, wherein incubating the first suspension is performed overnight and incubating the second suspension is performed for 48 hours.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying appendices and/or drawings illustrate various non-limiting, example, innovative aspects in accordance with the present descriptions:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an example of logic flow for a global process to collect, process, prepare and dose Wnt-activated adipose derived stem cells in one embodiment of WAADSC;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows an example of logic flow for tissue collection in one embodiment of WAADSC;

[0012] FIG. 3 shows an example of logic flow for tissue processing in one embodiment of WAADSC;

[0013] FIG. 4 shows an example of logic flow for cell expansion and passaging in one embodiment of WAADSC;

[0014] FIG. 5 shows an example of logic flow for batch freezing in one embodiment of WAADSC;

[0015] FIG. 6 shows an example of logic flow for dose delivery in one embodiment of WAADSC;

[0016] FIG. 7 shows an example of a WAADSC culture in one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Some approaches for autologous therapies using adipose derived stem cells are based on a mixture of cells of various morphologies containing, e.g., approximately 7-8% adipose mesenchymal stem cells, 7-8% blood progenitors and the rest of about 85% a mixture of fibroblasts, myocytes, vascular endothelial cells and blood cells. The process may employ a bedside manipulation by a differential centrifugation.

[0018] Certain methods to expand a particular stem cell fraction from this mixture are based on a cultivation in plastic containers with cell culture media containing animal serum and optional growth factors. Such methods may employ extended time of in-vitro manipulations that is subjecting the cells to various risk of contaminations and genome instability. Such methods may also bias towards an osteogenic/chondrogenic population of MSCs. Other methods use serum free commercial media such as Mesencult and similar that may result in a mostly osteogenic/chondrogenic/adipogenic CD44/CD105 positive population.

[0019] In some embodiments, mesenchymal stem cell production may facilitate a rapid expansion based on the combination of Activin A and a combination of signaling amino-acids that stimulates the mTOR pathway. Such methods may provide isolation and expansion of an enriched population of mesenchymal stem cells that has an active Wnt signaling demonstrated by the elevated expression of Lrg5 marker in more than 50% (e.g., up to 99%, or more) of population. In addition, more than 50% of the cells in the expanded population express Nestin.

[0020] In some embodiments, a Wnt-activated autologous cell population so obtained may then be injected into cerebral ventricles of patients, e.g., with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or various other nervous system diseases and dysfunctions. In other embodiments, such autologous cell populations may be administered in other ways, including but not limited to intravenous injection, intraarterial injection, intraarticular injection, and/or the like. For example, arthritis treatments employing such cell populations may be effected by injection of the cells into affected joints. Treatment may ameliorate the specific symptoms of these diseases through various possible mechanisms including (a) differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in neural types and integration in the brain; (b) trophic paracrine effect and stimulation of neurogenesis; and/or (c) anti-inflammatory paracrine effect. Increase of hippocampal volume in at least one of the subjects was observed. Embodiments employing bedside manipulation by differential centrifugation may increase the safety and efficiency of treatment. Alternative embodiments may include application of Wnt-activated mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of any of a variety of other conditions, such as but not limited to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and/or the like.

[0021] In some embodiments, mechanisms of action may comprise the neuronal trophic support and plasticity by secretome and autocrine activity of transplanted Lrg5-positive mesenchymal stem cells.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an example of logic flow for a global process to collect, process, prepare and dose Wnt-activated adipose derived stem cells in one embodiment of WAADSC. Tissue may be collected 101 by employing a collection kit consisting of a container (e.g., CredoCube) with a particular temperature and/or media content for the tissue to be distributed within. Collected tissue may then be processed 105 in preparation for cell expansion and passaging 110. Once a sufficient cell count is achieved, batch freezing is performed 115. Prior to use, a lot release process 120 may be undertaken, such as employing quality control (QC) vials to perform testing. Doses with adequate quality in the lot release process may then be delivered 125.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an example of logic flow for tissue collection in one embodiment of WAADSC. A collection kit consisting of a container (e.g., CredoCube) may be primed to a particular temperature (e.g., 4-8 C.) 201 and delivered to a collection site in advance of tissue collection, such as one day prior to the collection procedure 205. For example, in one implementation, the kit may include 4-6 containers having volumes of 50 to 100 mL each. The containers are filled to a fraction of their total volume, such as 30%, with media with antibiotic 210. In one implementation, the media may be ABstem basal media with ABStem media supplement. In another implementation, the media may be a commercial basal media (e.g., DMEM, DMEM-F12, RPMI, Williams, AB Stem) supplemented with a composition containing, e.g., Insulin, Sodium Selenite and Vitronectin at physiological concentrations and supraphysiological concentrations of L-Leucine (e.g., 0.12 to 1.2 g/L), L-Arginine (e.g., 0.35 to 2 g/L) and Taurine (e.g., 1.0 to 2.5 g/L). In one implementation, the antibiotic may be Penicillin and Streptomycin cell culture grade, used at a concentration of lx (e.g., ThermoFisher catalog #10378016). Tissue (e.g., adipose tissue) may then be collected 215, and the tissue may be distributed in the media containers to a fraction of their total volume, such as 75-80% 220. In one implementation, adipose tissue may be collected from a liposuction procedure. The containers may then be placed in the collection it along with corresponding patient documentation, labeling, and/or the like and prepared for transport 225.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows an example of logic flow for tissue processing in one embodiment of WAADSC. Upon arrival of the collection kit at a manufacturing facility, the patent information may be recorded, coded, and used to generate labels that are employed in subsequent processes 305. The collected tissue may then be extracted from the transport media, such as by centrifugation 310. In one implementation, centrifugation may be performed for about 5 minutes at about 250 G. Following centrifugation, the top layer consisting of oil (e.g., a yellow oily substance) may be removed, such as by aspiration, along with the aqueous supernatant 315. The pelleted tissue may then be re-suspended and placed in cell culture flasks (e.g., 1-5 grams per flask) with media with antibiotic and Dispase 320. In one implementation, about 25-30 mL of media (e.g., ABstem basal media with ABstem media supplement) with antibiotic (e.g., Penicillin and Streptomycin cell culture grade at a concentration of 1) may be employed, together with 1 UI/mL Dispase or 2 mg/mL Collagenase IV. In one implementation, about 0.3-0.5 mL/cm2 of culture surface of basal media (e.g., DMEM-F12, RPMI, Williams, ABstem) supplemented with a composition containing Insulin (e.g., 0.05-0.2 g/L), Sodium Selenite (e.g., 0.001-0.010 ng/L), Vitronectin (e.g., 25-100 ng/L), L-Leucine (e.g., 0.12 to 1.2 g/L), L-Arginine (e.g., 0.35 to 2 g/L) and Taurine (e.g., 1.0 to 2.5 g/L), with an antibiotic (e.g., Penicillin and Streptomycin cell culture grade at a concentration of 1) may be employed, together with 1 UI/mL Dispase or 2 mg/mL Collagenase IV. In one implementation, the Dispase or Collagenase may comprise powder prepared to the specified concentration (e.g., 1 UI/mL) in media and sterile filtered through, e.g., a 0.1 micron filter. The flasks may then be incubated 325, such as overnight at about 37 C. with Dispase, or for 30 minutes to 1 hour with Collagenase. The suspension may then be collected, transferred to conical tubes (e.g., 50 mL) and centrifuged (e.g., at 250 G), after which the supernatant may be removed and the centrifugation repeated again 330. Fresh media composition as above, excluding Dispase or Collagenase, may then be added (e.g., up to 0.5 mL/cm.sup.2 of cell culture surface) along with growth factors and antibiotic 335. In one implementation, the growth factors may be added directly to fresh media from pre-made stock aliquots that are kept frozen (e.g., at less than 20 C. or at 4 C. for up to 1 week). In implementations, the growth factors may comprise Activin A at, e.g., about 5 ng/mL (e.g., stock solution is 5 g/mL, and may be used at 1 L per mL of media); and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) at, e.g., about 10 ng/mL (e.g., stock solution is 5 g/mL, and may be used at 1 L per mL of media). The cell suspension may then be transferred into incubators for incubation 340. In one implementation, incubation may occur for 48 hours and/or continuing a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule, after which the supernatant is removed, such as by aspiration, and fresh media added until full confluence of the adherent cells. In one implementation, the media may comprise basal media (e.g., DMEM-F12, RPMI, Williams, ABstem) supplemented with a composition containing Insulin (e.g., 0.05-0.2 g/L), Sodium Selenite (e.g., 0.001-0.010 ng/L), Vitronectin (e.g., 25-100 ng/L), L-Leucine (e.g., 0.12 to 1.2 g/L), L-Arginine (e.g., 0.35 to 2 g/L) and Taurine (e.g., 1.0 to 2.5 g/L) as well as growth factors (e.g., Activin A 5 ng/mL and bFGF 10 ng/mL), but with no antibiotic. In one implementation, the media may comprise ABStem basal media with ABStem media supplement as well as growth factors (e.g., Activin A and/or FGF), but with no antibiotic.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows an example of logic flow for cell expansion and passaging in one embodiment of WAADSC. In one implementation, about 1 week after reaching confluence, the cells may be enzymatically dissociated and transferred to larger vessels for passaging 401. In one implementation, TrypLE, and/or the like recombinant cell-dissociation enzymes, may be applied (e.g., for 5-10 minutes) to dissociate the cells. In one implementation, TrypLE (e.g., ThermoFisher Catalog #12604013) may be used undiluted, as is. The cell suspension may then be transferred to conical tubes (e.g., 50 mL) and centrifuged 405, such as at about 250 G. The supernatant may then be removed and replaced with fresh media (e.g., DMEM-F12, RPMI, Williams, ABstem) supplemented with a composition containing Insulin (e.g., 0.05-0.2 g/L), Sodium Selenite (e.g., 0.001-0.010 ng/L), Vitronectin (e.g., 25-100 ng/L), L-Leucine (e.g., 0.12 to 1.2 g/L), L-Arginine (e.g., 0.35 to 2 g/L) and Taurine (e.g., 1.0 to 2.5 g/L) and growth factors (e.g., Activin A, 5 ng/mL and bFGF, 10 ng/mL) 410. The cell suspension may then be homogenized and distributed (e.g., at 1:4, 1:6, and/or the like ratio) into new cell culture vessels labeled with the patient ID 415. Media with growth factors may be added (e.g., to 0.4 mL/cm.sup.2 of culture vessel) 420. A determination may be made as to whether a desired degree of confluence has been achieved 425. If not, feeding of the culture may continue (e.g., on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule) 420. Otherwise, once adequate confluence is achieved, the process can proceed to batch freezing 430.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows an example of logic flow for batch freezing in one embodiment of WAADSC. Cultures may be dissociated, such as by using TrypLE 501. A cell count and assessment of viability may then be performed 505, and a determination made as to whether the cell count is sufficient 510. For example, in one implementation, sufficiency of the cell count may be based on the number of doses to be administered and/or the desired number of cells per dose. If the cell count is determined to be sufficient, an extra wash by centrifugation, e.g., in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS), may be performed 515. Doses may then be aliquoted in patient ID-labeled cryovials 520. In one implementation, a protectant, such as Cryostor CS5 media (e.g., BioLife Solutions 10 mL Vial, Part #205373) used as per manufacturer instructions, may be included as well. A number (e.g., four) of additional smaller vials, e.g., with about 10.sup.6 cells/vial, may be prepared from the main batch for quality control, retention, and/or the like 525. The lot of doses may then be transferred into a freezing environment, such as the vapor phase of a liquid nitrogen Dewar 530. When the cell count is insufficient at 510, all or part of the cells may be re-plated in larger cell culture containers 535. Media (e.g., DMEM-F12, RPMI, Williams, ABstem) supplemented with Insulin (e.g., 0.05-0.2 g/L), Sodium Selenite (e.g., 0.001-0.010 ng/L), Vitronectin (e.g., 25-100 ng/L), L-Leucine (e.g., 0.12 to 1.2 g/L), L-Arginine (e.g., 0.35 to 2 g/L) and Taurine (e.g., 1.0 to 2.5 g/L) and growth factors (e.g., Activin A 5 ng/mL and bFGF 10 ng/mL) may then be added 540 to effect expansion until a sufficient degree of confluence has been achieved 545.

[0027] In some embodiments, dose delivery may be preceded by one or more QC testing and/or lot release procedures. For example, QC vials may be employed to perform testing to assist with a determination of dose quality. In one implementation, QC standards for lot release may include one or more of the following: viability >75% (e.g., as measured by trypan blue staining); sterility (e.g., as measured by USP 71 sterility testing); mycoplasma negative test results (e.g., as measured via Sigma-Aldrich and/or VenorGem mycoplasma detection kits); endotoxin content (e.g., as determined via USB 85 endotoxin testing); phenotype testing (e.g., to identify >50% Lrg5 positive cells); and/or the like.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an example of logic flow for dose delivery in one embodiment of WAADSC. A dose may be removed from the cryogenic storage and thawed at room temperature (e.g., for about 10 minutes) 601. Identifying information from the vial may be verified to match with the patient 605. Vial contents may then be transferred to a sterile centrifuge tube together with a quantity (e.g., 10 mL) of sterile saline 610. In one implementation, the sterile saline may be USP and/or medical grade sterile saline solution. Centrifugation may then be performed 615, e.g., for 5 minutes at 250 G. The supernatant may then be removed, more sterile saline added (e.g., 10 mL), and the cell pellet re-suspended 620, after which centrifugation is performed again 625, e.g., for 5 minutes at 250 G. The supernatant is removed again and the dose is re-suspended in the final sterile saline volume that will be injected into the patient (e.g., 5 mL) 630.

[0029] In some embodiments, the injected product comprises a mixture of cells of various morphologies containing, e.g., about 7-8% adipose mesenchymal stem cells, about 7-8% blood progenitors, and the rest (about 85%) a mixture of fibroblasts, myocytes, vascular endothelial cells and blood cells. In some embodiments, the product may be injected into cerebral ventricles of patients, e.g., as a therapeutic application for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or various other nervous system diseases and dysfunctions. When injected into ventricles of the brain, several therapeutic mechanisms of action may occur, such as differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in neural types and integration in the brain, trophic paracrine effect and stimulation of neurogenesis, autocrine effect, anti-inflammatory paracrine effect, and/or the like. Autocrine effect, trophic paracrine effect, and/or anti-inflammatory paracrine effect may also occur in other therapeutic applications. For example, in some embodiments, the product may be injected into joints, ligaments, tendons, bursa, and/or the like, such as for treatment of arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and/or other joint disorders. In some embodiments, the product may be injected intravenously and/or intramuscularly, such as for treatment of heart disease, heart failure, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the product may be injected into organs of the endocrine system, digestive system, and/or the like, e.g., the pancreas, such as for treatment of diabetes and related disorders. In some embodiments, the product may be nebulized for inhalation and/or injected intravenously and/or into tissues of the respiratory system, such as for the treatment of COPD and/or other respiratory disorders.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows an example of a WAADSC culture, with SOX9 expression (approximately 50%) and Lrg5 expression (greater than 90%).

[0031] In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this application for WNT-ACTIVATED ADIPOSE-DERIVED STEM CELL APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (including the Cover Page, Title, Headings, Field, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Claims, Abstract, Figures, Appendices, and otherwise) shows, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which the claimed innovations may be practiced. The advantages and features of the application are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed principles. It should be understood that they are not representative of all claimed innovations. As such, certain aspects of the disclosure have not been discussed herein. That alternate embodiments may not have been presented for a specific portion of the innovations or that further undescribed alternate embodiments may be available for a portion is not to be considered a disclaimer of those alternate embodiments. It will be appreciated that many of those undescribed embodiments incorporate the same principles of the innovations and others are equivalent. Thus, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and functional, logical, operational, organizational, structural and/or topological modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. As such, all examples and/or embodiments are deemed to be non-limiting throughout this disclosure. Also, no inference should be drawn regarding those embodiments discussed herein relative to those not discussed herein other than it is as such for purposes of reducing space and repetition. For instance, it is to be understood that the logical and/or topological structure of any combination of any process steps and/or feature sets as described in the figures and/or throughout are not limited to a fixed operating order and/or arrangement, but rather, any disclosed order is exemplary and all equivalents, regardless of order, are contemplated by the disclosure. As such, some of these features may be mutually contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a single embodiment. Similarly, some features are applicable to one aspect of the innovations, and inapplicable to others. In addition, the disclosure includes other innovations not presently claimed. Applicant reserves all rights in those presently unclaimed innovations including the right to claim such innovations, file additional applications, continuations, continuations in part, divisionals, and/or the like thereof. As such, it should be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functional, features, logical, operational, organizational, structural, topological, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims.