STEM AND PROGENITOR CELL CAPTURE FOR TISSUE REGENERATION

摘要

A method for capturing stem cells and/or progenitor cells from circulating body fluids such as blood or lymph in vivo and enabling the cells to colonize a specific, localized site for purposes of tissue regeneration or repair, has been developed. The method consists of selecting a site in need of repair or regeneration. Materials which can be used to provide the growth factors or ligands include polymeric matrices having the growth factor or ligands attached thereto, materials releasing growth factor or ligands (such as hydrogels, polymers, fibrin clots), and cells which release or have bound to their surfaces the growth factors or ligands.