| abstract |
Transplants are coated with an insoluble immunological barrier membrane. The membrane can comprise a non-cytotoxic first layer of agarose and cationic amino acid polymer and a non-cytotoxic second layer chemically bonded to said first layer, the second layer comprising an anionic amino acid polymer. The molecular weight of the anionic amino acid polymer is preferably in the range of 2,000 to 500,000 daltons, and the thickness of the total membrane coating is within the range of 1 and 100 microns. Alternatively, the membrane can comprise a non-cytotoxic first layer of a cationic amino acid polymer. A non-cytotoxic second layer chemically bonded to the first layer comprises agarose and an anionic amino acid polymer. A non-cytotoxic optional third layer chemically bonded to said second layer comprises a cationic amino acid polymer. The molecular weight of the cationic acid polymer of the third layer is in the range of from 2,000 to 500,000 daltons and the thickness of the total coating is between 1 and 100 microns. The transplants can be allografts of endocrine cells or tissues such as pancreatic islets. The preferred cationic amino acids are L-lysine, poly-L-arginine, and mixtures thereof, and the preferred anionic amino acids are L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, and mixtures thereof. The coatings are formed by applying corresponding successive solutions to the cells or tissue of the transplant and by forming droplets in immiscible oils. |