Abstract:
The present invention discloses a cross-linked hyaluronic acid/collagen formulation which has improved composition for dermal filling and higher persistence than cross-linked collagen or HA alone. Also disclosed are methods for preparing cross-linked hyaluronic acid/collagen formulations and using such for augmenting soft tissues in mammals.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/978,423 filed on Oct. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to compositions and methods for producing materials for soft tissue augmentation. More specifically, the invention provides a cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen (Cgn) implant of improved composition and stability (“persistence”) for augmenting soft tissue in mammals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Both collagen and HA are naturally found in the skin. Although the collagen:HA ratios vary with age, sun exposure, type of skin, and other factors, matching the skin&#39;s composition could have a positive effect on duration and biocompatibility of a dermal filler. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to cross-linked HA and collagen implants for augmenting soft tissue in mammals. In one aspect, the invention features a method for preparing an implant. The method comprises contacting HA with a cross-linker to allow cross-linking of the HA by the cross-linker, thereby forming a first composition; contacting the first composition with collagen to allow cross-linking of the collagen by the cross-linker, thereby forming a second composition; and contacting the second composition with a HA solution to allow cross-linking of the HA in the solution by the cross-linker, thereby producing an implant. 
         [0005]    Many cross-linkers may be used in a method of the invention, including and not limited to divinyl sulfone (VS), 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), ultraviolet radiation, gamma radiation, electron beam radiation, and glutaraldehyde. For example, when VS is used as the cross-linker, the concentration of the VS for forming the first composition may be about 500-10,000 ppm, and preferably about 5000 ppm. The cross-linking of HA with VS for forming the first composition may occur at about 50-60° C. 
         [0006]    When practicing the method of the invention, the concentration and the pH of the HA for forming the first composition may be about 30 mg/ml or higher and about 9-12, respectively. In some embodiments, the collagen for contacting the first composition is soluble; in some embodiments, the concentration of the collagen for contacting the first composition is about 10-50 mg/ml, preferably about 30 mg/ml; in some embodiments, the pH of the collagen for contacting the first composition is about 2-3; in some embodiments, the collagen for contacting the first composition is type I, II, III, IV, or V collagen, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the pH of the second composition is about 6-8, and preferably about 7. The concentration of the HA solution for contacting the second composition may be about 3-15% weight/volume, and preferably about 5-10% weight/volume. The cross-linking of the HA in the solution by the cross-linker may occur at a pH of about 7.0-7.6. 
         [0007]    A method of the invention may further comprise contacting the second composition with a local anesthetic agent such as lidocaine. The concentration of the lidocaine may be about 1-7 mg/ml, and preferably about 2.7-3.3 mg/ml, in the implant. 
         [0008]    An implant prepared according to a method described above is within the invention. In particular, the present invention provides an implant comprising a core of HA cross-linked by a cross-linker, a middle layer of collagen surrounding and cross-linked by the cross-linker to the core, and an outer layer of HA surrounding and cross-linked by the cross-linker to the collagen layer. As mentioned above, the cross-linker may be VS, BDDE, ultraviolet radiation, gamma radiation, electron beam radiation, or glutaraldehyde. The implant may further comprise about 10 ppm or less of cross-linker not cross-linked to the HA or collagen. In some embodiments, about 5-50% of the amine groups on the collagen are modified by the cross-linker. In some embodiments, the elastic modulus of the implant is higher than about 200 Pascals or the implant may have an extrusion force through a 24 or larger gauge needle of about 50 Newtons or less. 
         [0009]    The invention is also directed to an implant prepared by the method described above, wherein the crosslinker is VS or BDDE, wherein the concentration of the VS for forming the first composition is about 500-10,000 ppm, preferably about 5000 ppm, and wherein the cross-linking of the HA by the VS for forming the first composition occurs at about 50-60° C. In some embodiments of the implant prepared by the method described above, the concentration of the HA for forming the first composition is about 30 mg/ml or higher and the pH of the HA for forming the first composition is about 9-12. In some embodiments of the implant prepared by the method described above, the collagen for contacting the first composition is soluble and the concentration of the collagen for contacting the first composition is about 10-50 mg/ml, preferably about 30 mg/ml. In some embodiments of the implant prepared by the method described above, the pH of the collagen for contacting the first composition is about 2-3 and the collagen for contacting the first composition is type I, II, III, IV, or V collagen, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of the implant prepared by the method described above, the pH of the second composition is about 6-8, preferably about 7. In some embodiments of the implant prepared by the method described above, the concentration of the HA solution for contacting the second composition is about 3-15% weight/volume, preferably about 5-10% weight/volume. In some embodiments of the implant prepared by the method described above, the cross-linking of the HA in the solution by the cross-linker occurs at a pH of about 7.0-7.6. 
         [0010]    The present invention also features a packaged product. The product comprises a syringe and a needle. The syringe is loaded with an implant of the invention. 
         [0011]    The invention further provides a method for filling voids and defects and increasing tissue volume in a mammal. The method comprises administering to a mammal an implant of the invention. The implant may be administered by intradermal or subcutaneous injection. 
         [0012]    The above mentioned and other features of this invention and the manner of obtaining and using them will become more apparent, and will be best understood, by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and do not therefore limit its scope. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating a representative process for HAVSCgn preparation. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows elastic and viscous modulus during a frequency sweep of HAVSCgn. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  depicts effects of hyaluronidase (enzymatic) degradation of HAVSCgn relative to Captique™ on the elastic modulus. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are FT-IR (fourier transform-infrared) traces for uncross-linked HACgn and cross-linked HAVSCgn, respectively. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows persistence of HAVSCgn relative to Captique™ and CosmoPlast®. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The present invention is based, at least in part, on the unexpected discovery that HA cross-linked at a high concentration and then coated with collagen and HA produces a long lasting implant. More specifically, the invention relates to HA and collagen cross-linked using VS to formulate a physiologically-matched wrinkle corrector, which is referred to as HAVSCgn. 
         [0019]    In general, HA is first cross-linked at a high concentration. The residual cross-linker is then reacted with collagen followed by the addition of a HA solution for complete utilization of the cross-linker and a laminating effect. The resulting gel has a high elastic modulus yet can still be extruded through a fine gauge needle with minimal force. The HA and collagen combination mimics the natural components of the skin and is an ideal composition for augmenting soft tissue in mammals. The HA and collagen gel of the present invention has improved rheological properties and volume stability or persistence compared to a single component formulation of HA, such as Captique™, or a single component formulation of collagen, such as CosmoPlast®. 
         [0020]    The process of the present invention involves obtaining HA either in solid or liquid form and cross-linking HA as a concentrated solution, followed by the addition of collagen and finally more HA. The collagen of the present invention primarily derives from mammalian source materials, such as bovine or porcine corium or tendon or human placental tissue. Collagen produced from human fibroblast cell culture, or recombinantly-produced collagen expressed from a cell line may also be used. 
         [0021]    Base (e.g., NaOH) is first added to HA to adjust the pH to 9-12. A cross-linker is added to the HA and the reaction is allowed to proceed. Collagen (pH 2-3) is then added. The collagen reacts with the cross-linker to covalently bind to HA. The cross-linker is consumed lightly in cross-linking the collagen. A HA solution is added as a lubricant and cross-linker scavenger. The final formulation has a core of cross-linked HA with collagen lightly cross-linked and surrounding the HA core. The additional soluble HA consumes the residual cross-linker and adds a lubrication benefit. Generally, any cross-linker that induces covalent bonds linking HA and collagen molecules may be used. Examples of such cross-linkers include but are not limited to VS, BDDE, ultraviolet radiation, gamma radiation, electron beam radiation, and glutaraldehyde. 
         [0022]    Cross-linking of HA and collagen with VS is provided here as an example. Base is added to HA (30 mg/ml or higher) to raise the pH to 9-12. VS (500-10,000 ppm, and preferably 5000 ppm) is added. Cross-linking of HA by VS is allowed to proceed at an elevated temperature from 50° C. to 60° C. for about 1 hour. The cross-linked HA is cooled and acidic collagen (10-60 mg/ml, and preferably 30 mg/ml; pH 2-3) is added to bring the pH to ˜7 (e.g., 6-8). The reaction is allowed to proceed overnight at room temperature. Soluble HA (3-15% weight/volume, and preferably 5-10% weight/volume) is added. Optionally, lidocaine can be added for a final lidocaine concentration of 2.7-3.3 mg/ml. The reaction is allowed to proceed for 8 hours-2 weeks at room temperature and pH 7.0-7.6. The scavenger HA not only decreases the amount of the residual VS but also functions as a coating agent which in turn reduces the extrusion force of the resulting implant (HAVSCgn). The HAVSCgn contains low residual VS (10 ppm or less) and has low extrusion force (e.g., 50 Newtons or less) through a fine gauge needle (&gt;24 gaue). 5-50% amine groups on the collagen are modified by VS (i.e., loss of free amine groups) in the implant. 
         [0023]    The HAVSCgn is a formulation with a high elastic modulus (&gt;200 Pascals) yet low extrusion plateau. The elastic modulus (G′) may be determined with a Bohlin Rheometer by measuring the ratio of the stress to the strain multiplied by the cosine of the phase angle. The extrusion force may be determined as follows: The implant is filled into a 1 cc Universal Syringe. A needle (e.g., 30G½ needle, Becton Dickinson Precision Glide) is then fit into the syringe and luer locked. The syringe filled with the implant and equipped with the needle is placed into the grip of Instron, Model 4201, and the plunger is displaced at a constant speed of 50 mm/minute. The force plateau is then calculated and reported in Newtons. 
         [0024]    A cross-linked HA-collagen implant of the invention can be further homogenized and screened by forcing the formulation through a screen of defined pore size. The formulation can also be filled into syringes fitted with a #25 or larger gauge needle for injection. In the case of formulations used for dermal augmentation, the term “injectable” means that the formulation can be dispensed from syringes having a gauge as low as #25 under normal manual pressure with a smooth extrusion plateau. 
         [0025]    The steps described above for preparing cross-linked HA-collagen and filling the implant into syringes are preferably carried out in sterile conditions using sterile materials. 
         [0026]    The invention provides a soft tissue augmentation injectable that mimics the natural components of the skin. The composition of the present invention may be injected intradermally or subcutaneously to augment soft tissue and to repair or correct congenital anomalies, acquired defects, or cosmetic defects. Examples of such conditions include congenital anomalies such as hemifacial microsomia, malar and zygomatic hypoplasia, unilateral mammary hypoplasia, pectus excavatum, pectoralis agenesis (Poland&#39;s anomaly), and velopharyngeal incompetence secondary to cleft palate repair or submucous cleft palate (as a retropharyngeal implant); acquired defects (post traumatic, post surgical, or post infectious) such as depressed scars, subcutaneous atrophy (e.g., secondary to discoid lupis erythematosis), keratotic lesions, enopthalmos in the unucleated eye (also superior sulcus syndrome), acne pitting of the face, linear scleroderma with subcutaneous atrophy, saddle-nose deformity, Romberg&#39;s disease, and unilateral vocal cord paralysis; and cosmetic defects such as glabellar frown lines, deep nasolabial creases, circum-oral geographical wrinkles, sunken cheeks, and mammary hypoplasia. 
         [0027]    The present invention provides a HA-collagen filler for augmenting and filling soft tissue defects and voids with a material that plumps and bulks the soft tissue. The cross-linked HA-collagen of the invention is particularly useful for deep dermal correction and sculpting. The superior composition and persistence makes it ideal for areas that are hard to correct and where a biocompatible bolus can provide mechanical strength to the body. 
         [0028]    The following example is intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the scope of the invention. While such example is typical of those that might be used, other procedures known to those skilled in the art may alternatively be utilized. Indeed, those of ordinary skill in the art can readily envision and produce further embodiments, based on the teachings herein, without undue experimentation. 
       EXAMPLE 
     Preparation of HAVSCgn 
       [0029]    HA was obtained from Lifecore Biomedical, Chaska, Minn. Base (NaOH) was added to HA to adjust the pH to a range of 9-12. Chemically pure VS (TCI AMERICA, 9211 N. Harborgate Street, Portland, Oreg. 97203, U.S.A) was then added to HA to allow the cross-linking reaction to proceed at an elevated temperature between 50° C. and 60° C. The cross-linked HA was cooled and collagen added. 
         [0030]    Purified, type I, pepsin-digested human collagen was obtained from Inamed Biomaterials, 48490 Milmont Drive, Fremont, Calif. 94538. It was precipitated by raising the pH to 7.0-7.6 with a sodium phosphate solution and then centrifuging at 17000×g for 5-7 minutes. The supernatant was aseptically decanted from the centrifuge bottle. The collagen pellet was aseptically suctioned into a homogenization vessel and homogenized. 0.05 M HCl buffer and sterile filtered WFI (water for injection) were mixed with the homogenate to lower the final pH to 2-3. 
         [0031]    The collagen was added to the cross-linked HA while the collagen was soluble. The VS was consumed and as a result the collagen was lightly cross-linked to collagen and HA. Additional HA in a solution was added at the end to consume the residual VS and to add a lubrication benefit. The final formulation had a core of cross-linked HA with collagen lightly cross-linked to the HA core. The additional HA was cross-linked to collagen and HA to enhance the formulation. The residual VS after addition of the free HA solution, as detected by reversed-phase HPLC, is indicated in Table 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Consumption of Divinyl Sulfone 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Formulation 
                 Residual Divinyl Sulfone 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 30 mg/ml HA + 5000 ppm VS 
                 1776 ppm 
               
               
                   
                 30 mg/ml HA + 5000 ppm VS + 
                  18 ppm 
               
               
                   
                 5% HA solution 
               
               
                   
                 30 mg/ml HA + 5000 ppm VS + 
                   0 ppm 
               
               
                   
                 10% HA solution 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0032]    VS primarily reacts with the amine groups on collagen and the hydroxyl groups on HA. The percentage of modified amine groups on collagen was determined by a free amine assay using TNBS (trinitrobenzene sulfonate). Unmodified collagen was used as a control. The HAVSCgn, 2674-1, formulation had about 15% of the amine groups modified. 
         [0033]    The reaction of VS with HA proceeds predominately with the hydroxyl groups of HA and the vinyl groups of VS and results in the formation of an ether bond. 
         [0000]      (2) R—OH+CH2═CH—SO2—CH═CH2→R—O—CH2—CH2—SO2—CH2—CH2—O—R 
         [0000]      FIG. 4  shows FT-IR spectra obtained for uncross-linked HACgn (a mixture of uncross-linked HA and uncross-linked collagen) and the HAVSCgn formulation. The representative absorption peaks in both samples were assigned to primary amines at 3500-3300 cm −1  and alcohol or OH groups at 3650-3200 cm −1  which overlaps the ether bond at 1300 cm −1 . Cross-linked HAVSCgn had an ether peak whereas the uncross-linked sample did not have a peak at 1300 cm −1 . 
       Rheology of HAVSCgn 
       [0034]      FIG. 2  shows a frequency sweep test using a Bohlin Rheometer to determine the elastic modulus (G′) and the viscous modulus (G″) of HAVSCgn. The elastic modulus reflects the elasticity of a material, and indicates the strength and stability of the HAVSCgn three-dimensional structure. Stability of the three-dimensional structure refers to the ability of HAVSCgn to resist deformation to maintain a three-dimensional form. The higher the value of G′ at a given frequency, the more elastic the HAVSCgn will be. The viscous modulus reflects the viscosity of a material. The higher the value of G″ at a given frequency, the more viscous the HAVSCgn gel composition will be. 
       Enzyme Resistance 
       [0035]    Hyaluronidase effect on elastic modulus was studied for HAVSCgn and Captique™ (a formulation of HA cross-linked with VS). Hyaluronidase was obtained from Worthington Biochemical Corporation (730 Vassar Avenue, Lakewood, N.J. 08701; catalog number L5002592). Implants were weighed to about 2±0.1 gram. 5 mg hyaluronidase was diluted with 10 ml PBS solution to ˜50 U/ml. 0.020 ml hyaluronidase solution was added to each 2 gram implant sample. The samples were incubated at 37° C. for 30 minutes, 1.5 hours, 3 hours, and 5 hours. The elastic modulus and phase angle were tested at 5 Hz using a Bohlin Rheometer CVO-100 at 20° C. with a gap of 500 mm and a parallel plate (PP20). As shown in  FIG. 3 , HAVSCgn was more resistant to hyaluronidase than Captique™. 
       Biocompatability 
       [0036]    The biocompatibility of HAVSCgn was tested and demonstrated to be biocompatible. The safety of the HAVSCgn was assessed through a cytotoxicity study and multiple rabbit subcutaneous implantation studies. The cytotoxicity study was performed using the ISO Elution Method. As shown in Table 2, HAVSCgn caused no cell lysis or toxicity. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Cytotoxicity of HAVSCgn 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Test 
                 Score 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Confluent monolayer 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Percent rounding 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Percent cells without intrascytoplasmic granules 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Percent lysis 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Grade 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Reactivity 
                 None 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0037]    A rat subcutaneous implantation study was performed to determine the persistence of HAVSCgn. As part of the rat implantation study, a macroscopic evaluation of the implant site was performed. There was no capsule formation or adverse reaction for all time points studied (Table 3). 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Rat Subcutaneous Gross and Microscopic Evaluations 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Time Point 
                 HAVSCgn 
               
               
                   
               
               
                  4 weeks 
                 No capsule formation or adverse reaction. Non irritant. 
               
               
                  9 weeks 
                 No capsule formation or adverse reaction. Non irritant. 
               
               
                 13 weeks 
                 No capsule formation or adverse reaction. Non irritant. 
               
               
                 24 weeks 
                 No capsule formation or adverse reaction. Non irritant. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Effectiveness 
       [0038]    To assess effectiveness, the persistence of HAVSCgn (2674-1) relative to CosmoPlast® and Captique™ was evaluated using wet weight recovery in the rat subcutaneous model which is considered to be a good measure of an implant&#39;s ability to maintain wrinkle correction (McPherson et al., 1988, Development and Biochemical Characterization of Injectable Collagen,  J Dermatol Surg Oncol  14, Suppl 1). As shown in  FIG. 5 , HAVSCgn had greater wet weight recovery than CosmoPlast® and Captique™ after implantation. 
         [0039]    All patents and articles cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.