PLACENTAL MATRIX
Placenta-Derived Biomolecules
Overview
42Bio has developed a unique biomolecule extraction from the placenta for regenerative medicine applications. 42Bio’s Placental Matrix is an acellular, liquid extract comprised of growth factors, structural molecules, and other biomolecules found in the placenta. Unlike others in the market, Placental Matrix is derived from the placental cotyledons (not the membranes), providing an enhanced and unique composition of biomolecules. These compounds are isolated using a patent-protected process that separates the unwanted bulk material while retaining active biomolecules in a flowable, immune-privileged product. This platform enables multiple Placental Matrix products to be tuned - both chemically and mechanically - for different research applications and ensures its uniform incorporation into other existing platforms.
History and Origins
Placental Matrix has over a 15-year history of rigorous scientific evaluation and testing. This technology has its origins as an approach to promoting vasculogenesis for regenerative medicine; Placental Matrix was first identified to be an excellent facilitator of vascular regrowth and networking (angiogenesis). For more details, read the full article here.
The superior pro-vascular properties of Placental Matrix can be seen below. In these images, you can see how 42Bio's Placental Matrix compares with Matrigel, the gold standard platform for 3D cell growth, in preventing fibrosis and encouraging revascularization. Placental Matrix reduced the degree of scarring and improved vascular networking in living animals.
Credit: Peter McFetridge Laboratory at the University of Florida.
Opportunities and Properties
Like a variety of materials derived from perinatal tissues (as discussed here), Placental Matrix has vast applications in regenerative medicine and veterinary medicine. 42Bio’s Placental Matrix has the advantage over other perinatal materials in its uniquely potent composition, flowability, and concentration.
Placental Matrix has over 2,000 unique proteins, which together create a physiological-relevant balance of stimulatory factors, inhibitors, cell signaling molecules, and structural molecules. Together, these represent a spectrum of properties that widely applies to tissue regeneration, healing, and mitigation of infection. 42Bio is developing Placental Matrix with a particular focus on applications in bone regeneration, arthritic disease, wound care, and skin health.
Placental Matrix is uniquely immune compatible, demonstrating immune tolerance across a variety of species. To date, Placental Matrix has been tested and demonstrated safety in rodents and dogs. Placental Matrix has even been used in zoological animals including a giraffe, not only showing xenographic immune tolerance, but remarkable tissue regeneration. Read Here
Placental Matrix Case Study - Giraffe Septic Arthritis
In one case study, placental matrix was used in a 2-year-old giraffe suffering from septic arthritis in her right medial claw. This giraffe, named JoJo, presented with gait abnormalities that did not resolve with antibiotics, stall rest, or custom shoes. After approximately three months of treatment, lameness severity had worsened. In an attempt to eliminate the infection and regrow bone in the affected area, surgery was performed to remove necrotic tissue and pack the site with a Placental Matrix-supplemented bone graft. The total defect size was approximately 100mm x 25mm (bone defect size 62mm x 25mm). The bone void was filled with a mixture of Orthomix (VTS) and Placental Matrix.
The surrounding area was packed with antimicrobial beads and injected with additional Placental Matrix. Post-operative care included bandage exchanges and close monitoring by veterinary staff. Within 6 weeks, the infection was subdued, gait was improving, and bone regeneration was evident by radiograph (see image below). By 10.9 weeks, there was no evidence of infection and gait was indistinguishable from that of the other giraffes.
For additional information on this case, read the July 2020 news article from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine READ MORE.
Placental Matrix Case Study - Septic Non-union in a Dog
In a 2020 case study, a 4-year-old female miniature pinscher presented with a fractured left humerus as a result of a dog bite. The bone was repaired with an autogenous cancellous bone graft, a compression plate, and two days of post operative drugs. Unfortunately, 12 weeks later the patient had non-union and evidence of infection. Cultures indicated mixed growth of enteric bacteria. The patient was put on cefpodoxime for four weeks, but the infection persisted and a 7 mm fracture gap remained. The patient was then brought into the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital, where a secondary surgery – this time using Placental Matrix – was conducted. The general surgical approach included the following:
- Fracture margins were excised, resulting in a segmental defect of 18 mm (2.2 times the humerus width)
- The old hardware was removed and new hardware was applied, including locking compression plates and 2 mm cortical and locking screws.
- Placental Matrix was injected into the graft
- Autogenous cancellous bone was mixed with canine demineralized bone matrix (VTS - link), and
was packed into the defect.
- The patient was put on a 14-day course of enrofloxacin and carprofen
Within 2 weeks of surgery, the patient was consistently weight-bearing. By 4 weeks, the patient had only
mild lameness and radiographically showed bone remodeling and smoothening. Radiographic evidence
of bone union was present two weeks after that. By 2 months post-op, the radiographs revealed rapid
remodeling and maturation of the bone. The patient returned to full activity with no lameness.
To read more and for additional details regarding this case, the peer-reviewed publication is available
here (Read Here).
For information on additional case studies and supporting data, please view the following peer-reviewed publications and news articles based on 42Bio Placental Matrix:
- Rodent fibrosis prevention and vasculogenesis: Read Here
- Small dog bone regeneration following distal, septic non-union: Read Here
- Large dog bone regeneration following femoral non-union: white paper coming soon
- Large dog bone regeneration following pan-tarsal arthrodesis: white paper coming soon
- Large dog skin regeneration following a necrotic bite wound infection: white paper coming soon