CONTROLLED-RELEASE OF LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR (LIF) TO TISSUES

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has been shown to effectively enhanc e skeletal muscle regeneration after mechanical injury and it may have potential therapeutic use in the muscular dystrophies as well as peri pheral nerve repair after injury. When LIF is applied systemically to an animal, it is rapidly removed with a biological half life of only a few minutes, and at high doses it exhibits toxic effects. Calcium alg inate rods have been developed for the purpose of insertion adjacent t o skeletal muscles. These rods, when charged with LIF will release the growth factor to the muscle at a rate of less than 1% per day and for a period extending to several months. In addition, tubes of alginate are described which will be suitable for the continuous supply of LIF to repaired peripheral nerve.