EP1653993A1

EP1653993A1 - Use of chemokines, and pharmaceutical preparations containing the same

Info

Publication number: EP1653993A1
Application number: EP04740860A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Kaps; Jochen Ringe
Original assignee: Transtissue Technologies GmbH
Current assignee: Transtissue Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2003-07-21
Filing date: 2004-07-09
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Also published as: WO2005014027A1; JP2006528141A; DE10333901A1; US20070020230A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of chemokines and/or nucleic acids coding a chemokine in order to recruit mesenchymal precursor cells and/or stem cells in vivo and in vitro. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical preparations that contain said substances and are preferably used for recruiting mesenchymal precursor cells and/or stem cells so as to build up tissue.

Description

Use of chemokines and pharmaceutical preparations containing them

The present invention relates to the use of chemokines and / or a nucleic acid encoding a chemokine for recruiting mesenchymal precursor and / or stem cells in vivo and in vitro. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical preparations containing these substances, which are preferably intended for the recruitment of mesenchymal precursors and / or stem cells for tissue building.

Field of the Invention

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder worldwide. In the course of this primary degenerative joint disease there is a progressive destruction of the local overall guiding surface, ^{'degeneration} of the articular cartilage. The result is pain and reduced function and mobility. The factors that influence the development of osteoarthritis include age, gender, weight, osteoporosis, mechanical overuse, malposition and trauma.

Conventional orthopedic therapy methods such as "debridement", "joint saving", "microfracture" and "drilling" are often insufficiently effective. The final consequence is often only a reconstructive intervention with endoprosthetic joint replacement. Alternative methods of restoring articular cartilage or bone use the techniques of tissue engineering, artificial tissue engineering. For this purpose, autologous cartilage cells or mesenchymal precursor or stem cells are removed from the patient and multiplied in complex cell culture processes. In a second operation, these cells are injected into the defect area covered with a periosteal flap (ACT, autologous chondrocyte transplantation) or, after packaging, inserted into the defect cartilage (chondrogenesis) or three-dimensional biomaterials that promote bone maturation (osteogenesis) [see also US-A-5,891,455]. However, newer methods aim at the regeneration of defects directly in the tissue, the in situ regeneration. For this purpose, biomaterials are introduced into the defect, which are provided with biologically active factors, such as growth and differentiation factors, adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix molecules and chemotactic factors, in order to direct mesenchymal ^" cells to the defect location and to stimulate them there to regenerate the defective tissue.

Proteins that have the property of supporting human cells during migration or stimulating them to migrate are referred to as chemotactic factors. These are, for example, extracellular matrix molecules and secreted proteins that diffuse in the tissue. Chemotactic factors include a number of proteins such as growth and differentiation factors (for example from the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) family, the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) family, the Cartilage Derived Morphogenetic Proteins (CDMP), from the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Family, the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), from the platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) family, from the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, or the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family), extracellular matrix molecules (for example Osteopontin, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, heparin, thrombospondin, collagens, vitronectin) and chemokines (CCL, CXCL, CX ₃ CL and XCL).

DE 199 describes the use of extracellular matrix molecules (osteopontin) and secreted growth and differentiation factors (cartilage derived morphogenetic protein) as chemotactic factors which induce mesenchymal cells not only for immigration into the defect but also for tissue-specific maturation 57 388A. Matrix molecules do not diffuse in the tissue, so they are only of limited use as demotactic factors. Some of the secreted proteins adhere to matrix proteins, which in turn limits their freedom of movement. However, they also have a differentiating effect. If the differentiation is made too early, the tissue will not be formed at the desired location. Furthermore, decoupling of recruiting and differentiation is not possible. The choice of the chemotactic factor also determines the differentiation process. The previously used methods therefore first require the production of autologous, tissue-forming cells, which the patient has to be implanted at the place where new tissue (usually cartilage or bone) is to be rebuilt. However, the extraction of autologous cells is time-consuming and, for the patient, involves at least an upstream biopsy, if not an operation to obtain the cell material.

Summary of the invention

In a first embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a chemokine and / or a nucleic acid encoding a chemokine for the production of a pharmaceutical preparation. The pharmaceutical preparation for recruiting mesenchymal, preferably local mesenchymal progenitor cells is preferably intended for building up tissue, preferably from the bone marrow.

In a second alternative embodiment, the invention relates to the use of a chemokine and / or a nucleic acid encoding a chemokine for the recruitment of mesenchymal, preferably local mesenchymal progenitor cells from the bone marrow in vitro.

The chemokine is preferably selected from the group consisting of CCL19, CCL21, CCL27, CCL28, CCL20, CXCL9, CXCLIO, CXCLl l, CXCL16, CXCL13, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL8, CXCL12, CCL2, CCL8, CCL13, CCL25, CCL25 CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CCL14, CCL15, CCL16, CCL23, CX ₃ CL1, XCL1, XCL2, CCL1, CCL17, CCL22, CCL11, CCL24, CCL26, CXCLl, CXCL2, CXCL3, and CXCL7, more preferably from the group consisting from CCL19, CCL21, CCL27, CCL28, CCL20, CXCL9, CXCLIO, CXCLll, CXCL16, CXCL13, and CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL8, CXCL12, CCL2, CCL8, CCL13 and CCL25, most preferably from the group consisting of CCL19, CCL , CCL27, CCL28, CCL20, CXCL9, CXCLIO, and CXCLll. A chemokine or a mixture of chemokines can be used. Alternatively, a chemokine fragment or derivative that has the ability to bind to a chemokine receptor can be used. In any case, it can be a natural or synthetic chemokine.

The nucleic acid encoding a chemokine can be in the form of RNA, DNA, cDNA, or ssDNA and can be of natural or synthetic origin.

The pharmaceutical preparation is preferably in a form suitable for injection. It can also contain: one or more suitable excipients; one or more biodegradable polymers; at least one active ingredient selected from differentiation and growth factors and mixtures thereof, the differentiation and growth factors preferably inducing chondrogenesis or osteogenesis, and mixtures of 2 or more of these.

In a third embodiment, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical preparation containing a chemokine as defined above.

In a fourth embodiment, the invention finally relates to a pharmaceutical preparation containing a nucleic acid as defined above.

Brief description of the pictures

Figure 1: Evidence of the expression of the chemokine receptors in human mesenchymal stem cells using RT-PCR.

Figure 2: Evidence of dose-dependent stem cell migration in response to CXCLl 2. Detailed description of the invention

According to the invention, proteins of the chemokine family can be used for the recruitment of mesenchymal progenitor cells, in particular mesenchymal stem cells, for example from the bone marrow, wherein the recruitment can take place in vivo and in vitro. Therapeutically, recruitment can be used to heal tissue defects, especially pathogenetic and / or traumatic and / or age-related cartilage defects, cartilage lesions, bone defects and fractures.

The chemokine (s) are made available at a specific location. From here, a concentration gradient builds up due to the diffusion. Because of this concentration gradient, the mesenchymal cells are directed to the respective location, which is referred to as recruitment. The corresponding stimulus to the cells is mediated by binding the chemokines to specific chemokine receptors.

The present invention is based on the finding that human or animal mesenchymal precursor and stem cells have corresponding receptors. The expression or the presence of these receptors in human or animal mesenchymal precursor and stem cells has not previously been described in the scientific literature and is documented therein.

Without wishing to be bound by this, it is assumed that the mesenchymal precursor and stem cells react to chemokines precisely because of the expression of these receptors and can therefore migrate due to the chemokine signal. The response and the rate of migration presumably depend on the expression level of the receptor on the respective cell. The ligands of the most highly expressed receptors are thus presumably those chemokines to which the mesenchymal precursors and stem cells respond most strongly.

As the level of expression decreases, the probability decreases that the cells react chemotactically to the chemokines corresponding to the chemokine receptor and migrate. The migration properties of the precursor and stem cells and the "attraction" - The potential of the chemokines is used according to the invention to recruit mesenchymal, preferably even local precursor and stem cells to a specific location, for example a defect location (for example a cartilage lesion) in situ.

Chemokines are proteins (5-20 kDa) that play an important physiological role in a variety of processes such as hematopoiesis of blood stem cells and chemotaxis of leukocytes. Chemotaxis is understood to mean the positive or negative movement reaction of moving organisms or cells, triggered by a chemical stimulus, towards or away from the stimulus, the cell membrane of which is activated by corresponding "chemotactic substances" (chemokines, chemotaxins). This activation is mediated by a corresponding cell surface receptor (chemokine receptor) to which the chemokine binds. In the context of the present invention, the chemotaxis of certain target cells triggered specifically to a defect location is also referred to as “recruitment”.

The amino acid sequences of all chemokines are similar and are characterized by an unchangeable arrangement of four cysteines. Depending on the location of the first two cysteines, the chemistry family is divided into four subfamilies: CC, CXC, CX C and C chemokines, with representatives of the C subfamily having only two cysteines (see Table 1 below). A more detailed description can be found in Murphy et al. (2000) "International Union of pharma- ^'cology. XXII. Nomenclature of chemokine receptors. "Pharmacol Rev 52: 145-176, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the following, the nomenclature presented by Murphy et al. Is used to designate preferred chemokines to be used according to the invention. The chemokines themselves are called CCL, CXCL, CX ₃ CL and XCL, where "L" stands for ligand. In addition to the nomenclature names, trivial names are often used in the literature.

The chemokines and their receptors are expressed by a large number of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells. Chemokine activity is initiated by binding to a specific G protein-coupled receptor. Although most of the investigations into the mode of action of chemokines have so far been carried out on leukocytes, their function extends far beyond leukocyte physiology. Chemokine receptors are classified as receptors for CCL, CXCL, CX ₃ CL and XCL and are systematically designated CCR, CXCR, CX ₃ CR and XCR ("R" stands for receptor) (see Table 1 below). Some of them can have multiple chemokines The amino acid sequences of the chemokine receptors are 25-80% identical to one another and 25% identical to many other G protein-coupled receptors [Murphy et al. (2000) "International union of phatmacology. XXII. Nomenclature of chemokine receptors . " Pharmacol Rev 52 -.145-176].

The N-terminus is on the extracellular side of the membrane and is mostly glycolyzed, while the C-terminus is on the cytoplasmic side and is phosphorylated. Three extracellular loops alternate with three intracellular and connect seven hydrophobic transmembrane domains. A two-step model for receptor activation has been developed: chemokine binding to the receptor first leads to a change in the conformation of the chemokine, followed by activation of the receptor by the N-terminus of the chemokine. Here, GDP bound to the α-subunit of the G protein is exchanged for GTP. The G protein dissociates from the receptor and triggers a cascade of biochemical reactions in the cytoplasmic space.

CC and CXC receptors have been detected in monocytes, lymphocytes, basophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes and chondrocytes. The CC chemokine receptor family includes eleven CC receptors (CCR1-CCR11). They have seven characteristic sequence sections which distinguish them from the 6 receptors of the CXCR family (CXCR1-CXCR6).

Table 1: Human chemokine receptors and their ligands

In their investigations, the inventors found a gradation of the expression of the different chemokine receptors on mesenchymal cells. This gradation is shown in Table 3 below. This in turn results in the preferred use of the chemokines which bind to the most frequently expressed receptors in the context of the use according to the invention.

The chemokines of numbers 1-39, preferably numbers 1-18, and particularly preferably numbers 1-8 from Table 4 are preferably used. These can be in the form of the chemokines, their fragments and or derivatives, but also in the form of one Chemokine-encoding nucleic acid (e.g. DNA, cDNA, RNA, ssDNA) can be used. According to the invention, a fragment of a chemokine is understood to mean a peptide which comprises a partial sequence of the amino acid sequence of the chemokine. According to the invention, a derivative of a chemokine means a peptide or protein with a Amino acid sequence which is derived from the amino acid sequence of a chemokine by deletion, substitution, addition or point mutation. It is essential for suitable fragments and / or derivatives to maintain the binding ability to the chemokine receptor and preferably also the binding specificity.

For diagnostic and / or therapeutic use, a pharmaceutical preparation containing the chemokine and / or a nucleic acid encoding the chemokine is prepared by conventional methods. The pharmaceutical preparation is preferably intended for injection. Suitable processes for the preparation of pharmaceutical preparations containing proteins and nucleic acids and auxiliaries suitable therefor are known and shall not be described here. The design of such a preparation lies in the skill of the expert. For example, injection solutions, fibrin glue, substrates for transplantation, matrices, tissue patches or sutures are suitable.

The preparation is then introduced into the tissue defect such as a bone or cartilage defect, preferably by means of injection, a fibrin glue, a substrate, a matrix or a patch. Suitable substrates are known, for example, from DE 199 57 388, which is incorporated herein by reference. A connection to the bone marrow space can be created to attract mesenchymal precursor and / or stem cells. After the mesenchymal cells have migrated into the bone or cartilage defect, these cells build up a regenerating tissue that fills the defect and stabilizes it. By adding growth and differentiation factors that promote osteogenesis or chondrogenesis, the structure of the bony or cartilaginous regenerated tissue can be supported.

The invention thus preferably relates to the use of chemokines for the production of pharmaceutical preparations for the recruitment of local mesenchymal progenitor cells from the bone marrow for the regeneration of pathological or traumatic joint defects, predominantly in the case of arthrosis. Mesenchymal progenitor cells and stem cells in the sense of the present invention are cells which have the property of developing into one or more mesenchymal tissues. Examples include: cartilage with chondrocytes, bones with osteocytes, tendons with tenocytes, ligaments with tenocytes, cardiac muscle with cardiomyocytes, connective tissue with fibroblasts, fibrous tissue with fibroblastoid cells, neuronal tissue with astrocytes and neurons. The progenitor cells can therefore be progenitor cells of chondrocytes, osteocytes, tenocytes, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, fibroblastic cells, astrocytes or neurons. For example, the progenitor cells can be progenitor cells / stem cells of cartilage cells that only develop into cartilage cells, or progenitor cells that have the ability to develop in cartilage and bone cells, or progenitor cells that have the ability possess to develop exclusively in bone cells.

During use, the mesenchymal progenitor cells are "attracted" by the chemokines contained in the preparation from the surrounding tissue close to the joint, preferably from the bone marrow, and directed to the defect site. The mesenchymal progenitor cells remain there and form a bony regenerative tissue in the bone defect and a cartilaginous defect in the cartilage defect. A similar attracting can of course also be used in vitro for the cultivation of corresponding cells, for example from biopsies.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to the use of chemokines for the recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells. For the purposes of the present invention, mesenchymal stem cells are mesenchymal progenitor cells which have the ability to develop into several, at least into two different, mesenchymal tissues.

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of chemokines for the recruitment of mesenchymal precursor or stem cells from the bone marrow. For this purpose, arthroscopically small channels are drilled from the defect site of the cartilage into the bone tissue underlying the cartilage, so that a connection is created between the defect site and the bone marrow. The introduction of chemokines in the de- fekt attracts mesenchymal precursors or stem cells, which settle in the defect and form a regenerated tissue that closes the defect.

Alternatively, the use of nucleic acids encoding a chemokine can be provided. It is advantageous here to introduce RNA, DNA, cDNA or ssDNA, which are taken up by local cells, read off and released as a mature protein.

In a further preferred embodiment, the chemokines used to recruit mesenchymal progenitor cells are mixed with biodegradable polymers or biomaterials. Biodegradable polymers in the sense of the invention are those, preferably three-dimensional polymer structures, which have no toxic effects on cells, do not cause an immune reaction and promote the tissue build-up of cartilage or bone. The introduction of biodegradable polymers with chemokines into the defect to be closed leads to the attraction of mesenchymal progenitor cells, which immigrate directly into the polymer tissue and find a three-dimensional polymer structure there for optimal tissue maturation in cartilage or bone. Examples of such polymers or biomaterials are polylactide, polyglycolide, poly (lactide-glycolide), polylysine, polycaprolactone, alginate, agarose, fibrin, hyaluronic acid, polysaccharides, cellulose, collagens and hydroxylappatite.

The chemokines can also be used together with growth and differentiation factors in the same (or also administered in separate preparations). The joint use of chemokine, polymer and growth and differentiation factors is very particularly preferred. The introduction of such a mixture into the defect has the advantage that the attracted mesenchymal progenitor cells, in addition to the optimal polymer structure that already promotes tissue maturation, are additionally stimulated by tissue growth and differentiation factors.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of chemokines together with growth and differentiation factors which induce cartilage maturation. The factors that induce cartilage maturation in the sense of the present invention are growth and differentiation factors that are developmentally a Stimulate precursor cell for differentiation and maturation into a chondrocytic cell type or a mature cartilage cell for the production of cartilage matrix. It is advantageous here to use members of the cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein (CDMP) and bone morphogenetic porteins (BMP) family, but also insulin.

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of chemokines together with growth and differentiation factors which induce bone maturation. Bone maturation-inducing factors in the sense of the present invention are growth and differentiation factors which, in developmental biology, stimulate a precursor cell for differentiation and maturation into a bony cell type or a mature bone cell for the production of bone matrix. It is advantageous here to use members of the family of bone morphogenetic porteins (BMP), particularly preferably members BMP -2 and BMP-7.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention. However, these are not intended to limit the invention.

Examples

example 1

Isolation and cultivation of human mesenchymal stem cells

The isolation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was carried out according to a previously described protocol for obtaining MSC from the bone marrow as follows:

A maximum of 3 ml of ophthalmic marrow punctate are mixed with 10 ml of PBS and centrifuged for 10 minutes and 310 g at room temperature. The cell pellet is resuspended and washed again with PBS (8000 mg / l NaCl, 200 mg / l KCl, 1150 mg / l Na ₂ HPO ₄ , 200 mg / l KH ₂ PO ₄ ). The cells are taken up in 20 ml of DME medium (with 10-20% FBS, 2% HEPES, 4 mM L-glutamine, 100 U / ml penicillin, 100 μg / ml streptomycin). 5 ml of this cell suspension are added to 20 ml of a Percoll density gradient of density 1.073 g / ml. The cells are centrifuged at 900 g for 32 min. The top phase is transferred to a new centrifuge tube. After adding 2.5 times the volume of PBS, centrifugation is again carried out at 310 g for 6 minutes. The cell pellet is taken up in DME medium.

1.5 * 10 ⁵ -3.5 * 10 ⁵ cells cm ² are added to the culture in a cell culture flask and at 37 ° C, 5% CO ₂ in DME medium (Biochrom AG, Berlin, Catalog No. FG0415, Dulbeccos Modified Eagle medium with 3.7 g / l NaHCO ₃ , 1.0 g / L D-glucose) incubated. The first medium change takes place after 72 hours, then every 3-4 days. The cells isolated in this way grow confluently after 2-3 weeks and are then transferred to a new culture vessel by trypsinization at a cell density of 6,000 cells / cm ^{2 of} culture surface (passage 1). After about a week, the cells are trypsinized again (passage 2).

The homogeneity of the culture of human mesenchymal stem cells obtained is verified by means of FACS analysis, the surface antigens Endoglin and ALCAM being detected and the surface antigens CD34, CD 45 and CD 14 not being detected. This has been confirmed.

Example 2

Gene expression analysis for the detection of chemokine receptors

The isolated, expanded and checked human mesenchymal stem cells express chemokine receptors. This was demonstrated by RT-PCR in several human patients (n = 3) as follows:

a. Isolation of total RNA

Tri Reagent LS ™ is used to isolate the total RNA. The MSC are cultivated to confluence. After discarding the cell culture medium, a layer of 0.4 ml of Tri Reagent LS ™ per 10 cm ^{2 of} growth area is overlaid to lyse the cells. The lysate is transferred to a sterile reaction vessel and incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature (RT). The lysate is mixed with 0.1 ml bromine-chloropropane (BCP) per 0.75 ml Tri Rea-. gent LS ™ added, shaken for 15 seconds and incubated at RT for 10 minutes. A subsequent centrifugation for 15 minutes at 4 ° C and 12000 g leads to phase separation. The aqueous phase is to be removed in 200 μl aliquots and transferred to a reaction vessel. The RNA solution is mixed with 0.5 ml of isopropanol per 0.75 ml of Tri Reagent LS ™ and left at -20 ° C for at least 7 minutes. The precipitated RNA is pelleted by centrifugation for 8 minutes at 4 ° C and 12000 g. The resulting RNA pellet is washed with 70% EtOH, air-dried and taken up in 20 μl DEPC-H ₂ O. To dissolve the pellet, it is heated to 55 ° C. for 10 minutes. The content of isolated total RNA is determined by a photometric measurement.

b. cDNA Svnthese:

For the cDNA synthesis, 5 μg total RNA in 10 μl DEPC-H ₂ O are used and 1 μl oligo (dT) 12-18 primers (one upper and one lower primer as indicated in Table 2) are added to achieve To be denatured for 10 minutes at 70 ° C. After denaturation, the reaction mixture is stored on ice and treated with 4 μl 5 × buffer (0.25 M Tris / HCl, pH 8.3; 0.375 M KCl; 15 mM MgCl ₂ ), 2 μl 0.1 M DTT, 1 μl dNTP ( 10 mM each) and 0.4 μl RNase inhibitor added. After an incubation period of 2 min at 37 ° C, the reaction mixture with 1 ul. SuperScript ™ Rerverser Transcriptase provided to be incubated for another 60 minutes at 37 ° C. After the addition of 40 μl TE (10/1, pH 7.8), the enzyme is inactivated at 92 ° C. for 10 minutes. 2.0 μl cDNA are used for the RT-PCR reactions.

As standard, 1 μl cDNA are used per PCR reaction. In a PCR reaction vessel, 2 μl 10 × PCR buffer, 2 μl 25 mM MgCl ₂ , 0.2 μl 10 M dNTPs, 1 μl 5 nM primer (Table 2) and 0.5 U Taq DNA polymerase are added to the cDNA and made up to a final volume of 20 μl with H ₂ O. A standard _{reaction cycle} is based on denaturation at 95 ° C. for 1 minute, hybridization of the primers at a temperature specific for the primer (T _aπ ) for 15 seconds and a DNA synthesis reaction at 72 ° C. for 15 seconds. This cycle is repeated a total of 35 times. Finally, the batch is left at 72 ° C. for 3 minutes. The PCR products are separated by means of gel electrophoresis. The DNA fragments were eluted from the gel and cloned into the vector pGEM-T Easy (Promega). After amplification in E. coli, the corresponding plasmid was isolated and sequenced to demonstrate that the corresponding chemokine receptors were amplified by means of the oligonucleotides used in Table 2 and confirmed by comparison with the known sequence. Table 2: Oligonucleotides for the detection of the expression of human chemokine receptors

Expression analyzes of human mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow for several patients (n-3) with regard to the presence of human chemokine receptors (Figure 1) showed high expression of receptors 1-9, medium expression of receptors 10-17 and one poor expression of receptors 18-19 (Table 3).

Table 3: Expression and level of expression of chemokine receptors in human mesenchymal stem cells

The differing expression levels suggest that the ligands of the most highly expressed receptors are those chemokines to which the mesenchymal stem cells are most responsive and migrate. As the level of expression decreases, the probability decreases that the stem cells chemotactically react and migrate to the chemokine corresponding to the chemokine receptor. Based on this, it follows that human mesenchymal stem cells are strongest by stimulation with chemokine no. 1, decreasing to chemokine no. 39 of Table 4, activate and have them recruited in situ. Table 4: Chemokines for in situ recruitment of mesenchymal progenitor cells

Example 3

To treat a pronounced arthrotically deformed joint surface, small connecting channels between the bone marrow space and the joint cavity are first created through multiple fine bores (1-2 mm). A wool-like polymer construct (polyglycolide), combined with hyaluronic acid and chemotactic chemokine (CCL19), is then glued and adjusted over the joint surface with fibrin or acrylic adhesive.

Example 4:

For the treatment of the articular surface from example 3 with a defect size of 6 cm ² , 1.2 ml of fibrin glue with 1000 ng growth factor (cartilage derived morphogenetic protein) and 2000 ng chemokine (CXCL9) are placed in the medullary canal after making the openings Cartilage defect introduced and solidified by the simultaneous addition of 100 ul thrombin.

Example 5

Chemotactic activity of the chemokine CXCL12 (SDF-lα) on mesenchymal stem cells of the bone marrow D

The isolated, expanded and checked human mesenchymal stem cells show a dose-dependent chemotactic activity against the chemokine CXCL12 (SDF-lα). This was demonstrated using a 96-Multiwell chemotaxis test. The 96-Multiwell Chemotaxis plates used here consist of an upper and a lower part of a well, which are separated by a permeable polycarbonate membrane (pore diameter 8 μm). The CXCLl 2 introduced in the lower part creates a concentration gradient across the membrane, activated cells from the upper part of the well or the well migrate into the membrane and into the lower part of the well (the well). The proof is as follows:

The cells are first cultivated in normal DMEM culture medium. The culture medium is removed approximately 22 hours before the test, the cells are washed with PBS and, until the test, in serum-free diet medium (DME medium, contains 1.0 g / 1 glucose, 0.2% bovine serum albumin, 2 mM L-glutamine; 100 U / ml penicillin; 100 μg / ml streptomycin). Immediately before the start of the test, the cells are trypsinized, the cell number and vitality determined and again taken up in the diet medium. 3 × 10 ⁴ cells are used in 40 μl of diet medium per upper well (upper well) of a 96-well plate.

To determine the dose-dependent chemotactic activity of CXCL12 (SDF-IGI), this is added to the diet medium in various concentrations (1-500 nM) and 35 μl of this medium is added as a triplet to the lower well. Than control runs to be a 3xl0 ⁴ cells in 40 ul of diet medium per upper well and 30 ul serum-containing culture medium without chemokine in the lower well (positive control) and on the other 3x10 ⁴ cells in 40 ul of diet medium per upper well and 30 ul of diet medium without chemokine in the lower corrugated (Negative control) used. The 96-well chemotaxis plates are used for 20 hours Incubated 37 ° C under 5% CO2 atmosphere. The top of the filter (non-migrated side) is wiped to remove the non-migrated cells. The cells on the underside of the filter (migrated cells) are kept for 3 min. fixed with ice-cold ethanol / acetone (1: 1 v / v) and stained with the quick staining system Hemacolor® from Merck. The membrane is kept moist and three representative photo fields per well are counted. The distribution of the cells in the respective well is assessed beforehand at a lower magnification.

These studies of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for the chemotactic activity of CXCL12 (SDF-lα) revealed that this chemokine had a dose-dependent effect on human mesenchymal stem cells. This is shown in Figure 2. The highest measured response of the cells was measured at a concentration of approximately 500 nM. From a concentration of slightly below 100 nM, the number of cells migrated corresponds approximately to the number of cells migrated in the negative control. This demonstrates the inventive recruitment effect of chemokines on mesenchymal progenitor cells of the bone marrow in a significant manner.

Claims

claims:

1. Use of a chemokine and / or a nucleic acid encoding a chemokine for the production of a pharmaceutical preparation.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical preparation for the recruitment of mesenchymal, preferably local mesenchymal progenitor cells and or stem cells is intended for tissue building.

3. Use of a chemokine and / or a nucleic acid encoding a chemokine for the recruitment of mesenchymal, preferably local mesenchymal progenitor cells and / or stem cells in vitro.

4. Use according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the chemokine is selected from the group consisting of CCL19, CCL21, CCL27, CCL28, CCL20, CXCL9, CXCLIO, CXCLl l, CXCL16, CXCL13, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL8, CXCL12, CCL2, CCL8, CCL13, CCL25, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CCL14, CCL15, CCL16, CCL23, CX3CL1, XCL1, XCL2, CCL1, CCL17, CCL22, CCL11, CCL24, CCL26, CXCLLXC CXCL7.

5. Use according to claim 4, wherein the chemokine is selected from the group consisting of CCL19, CCL21, CCL27, CCL28, CCL20, CXCL9, CXCLIO, CXCLll, CXCL16, CXCL13, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL8, CXCL12, CCL2, CCL8, CCL13 and CCL25.

6. Use according to claim 5, wherein the chemokine is selected from the group ^• consisting of CCL19, CCL21, CCL27, CCL28, CCL20, CXCL9, and CXCLIO CXCLll.

7. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a mixture of chemokines is used.

8. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a chemokine fragment or a chemokine derivative is used which has the ability to bind to a chemokine receptor.

9. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it is a natural or synthetic chemokine.

10. Use according to claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid encoding a chemokine in the form of RNA, DNA, cDNA, or ssDNA.

11. Use according to claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid encoding a chemokine is of natural or synthetic origin.

12. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mesenchymal progenitor cells are mesenchymal stem cells, which are preferably recruited from the bone marrow.

13. Use according to claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical preparation is in a form suitable for injection.

14. Use according to claim 13, wherein the pharmaceutical preparation additionally contains: one or more suitable auxiliaries, one or more biodegradable polymers, - at least one active ingredient selected from differentiation and growth factors and mixtures thereof, and mixtures of 2 or more of these ,

15. Use according to claim 3 in combination with an active ingredient selected from differentiation and growth factors and mixtures thereof.

16. Use according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the differentiation and growth factors induce chondrogenesis or osteogenesis.

17. A pharmaceutical preparation containing a chemokine as defined in any one of claims 4 to 9.

18. A pharmaceutical preparation containing a nucleic acid as defined in one of claims 10 or 11.

19. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 17 or 18, which additionally contains: one or more suitable excipients, one or more biodegradable polymers, - at least one active ingredient selected from differentiation and growth factors and mixtures thereof, and mixtures of 2 or more of these ,

20. Pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 17 or 18, which is in the form of a solution for injection, fibrin glue, a substrate for transplantation, a matrix, a tissue patch or suture material.