Method for Producing and Manipulating Intestinal Organotypic Culture

Inventors: Meenhard Herlyn and Jiri Kalabis

Tech ID: HM0101

Description: Researchers at The Wistar Institute have invented a novel in vitro organotypic culture system, capable of modeling normal human intestinal and colonic epithelium.  Normal human intestinal and colonic epithelial cells are difficult to culture in vitro by conventional methods because it has been difficult to maintain the differentiated phenotype of normal human intestinal cells in culture for more than several days.  The organotypic culture developed by Wistar scientists utilizes a novel artificial stroma as a substrate.  This substrate, comprising a combination of collagen fibers and stromal cells, recapitulates the native milieu required to maintain intestinal epithelial stem cells and allow for their differentiation into functional enterocytes.  Specific combinations of growth factors and peptides have been devised for controlling the growth, proliferation, differentiation, and long-term survival of the culture.  The culture system is applicable to both intestinal and colonic epithelium as well as other epithelial tissues.

Key Words: Organotypic culture, intestine, colon, bioavailability, toxicity, enteric pharmacology

Applications and Advantages: This novel organotypic culture system is a tool for studying the normal growth, proliferation, and differentiation of intestinal and colonic epithelium in vitro.  This organotypic system, unlike primary cell cultures which last only for days, is self-renewing and able to be maintained for long periods.  Furthermore, unlike immortalized cultures, epithelial cells in the organotypic system maintain a differentiated phenotype.  The organotypic culture system is ideal for screening and developing new drugs, and for investigating enteric pharmacology.

Intellectual Property Status: This technology is protected by U. S. Patent Number 7,217,570; “Organotypic Intestinal Culture and Methods and Use Thereof” (Herlyn, M.; Kalabis, J.; May 15, 2007).

Licensing Opportunity: This technology is available for exclusive or non-exclusive license.  Sponsored research to further develop the technology will also be considered.

References:  Kalabis et al.; 2003.  “Stimulation of human colonic epithelial cells by leukemia inhibitory factor is dependent on collagen-embedded fibroblasts in organotypic culture”.  FASEB Journal. 17(9): 1115-1117.
Spottl et al.; 2006. “A new organotypic model to study cell interactions in the intestinal mucosa”. European Journal Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 18(8):901-909.

Contact:

Meryle J. Melnicoff
Director, Business Development
The Wistar Institute
3601 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 898-0049
Fax: (215) 573-2456
melnicoff@wistar.org

Last updated: Nov. 2007