LOCAL POLYMERIC GEL CELLULAR THERAPY

摘要

A method for providing a synthetic barrier made of biocompatible polymeric m aterials in vivo which involves application of a materia l to a tissue or cellular surface such as the interior surface of a blood vess el, tissue lumen or other hollow space, is disclosed her ein. The material may also be applied to tissue contacting surfaces of implantable me dical devices. The polymeric materials are characterized by a fluent state which allows application to and, preferably adhesion to, tissue lumen surfaces, which can be increased or altered to a second less fluent state in situ; controlled permeability and degradability; and, i n the preferred embodiments, incorporation of bioactive materials for release in vivo, either to the tissue lumen surface or to the interior o f the lumen, which alter cell-to-cell interactions. It has also been discovered that tenascin is a mediator of smooth muscle cell migration throu gh interaction with specific integrin components of the cells.