10613results about "Skeletal/connective tissue cells" patented technology

A freeze dried biocompatible matrix comprising plasma proteins, useful as implants for tissue engineering as well as in biotechnology, and methods of producing the matrix are provided. Mechanical and physical parameters can be controlled by use of auxiliary components or additives which may be removed after the matrix is formed in order to improve the biological properties of the matrix. The matrices according to the present invention may be used clinically per se, or as a cell-bearing implant.

The invention provides novel methods by which adipose tissue, preadipocytes, and adipocytes can be generated for research purposes, and methods for identifying cell populations that can proliferate and differentiate into adipocytes in vivo. The invention further provides a means for the in vivo derivation of “designer” or “customized” adipose tissue, preadipocytes, and adipocytes. Also provided are methods for identifying agents that affect adipocytes and adipose tissue, as well as the agents themselves. In particular, the present invention allows for creation of tissues and cells that can be used to screen for agents useful for treating human disorders associated with adipose tissue, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

The invention provides an artificial antigen presenting cell (AAPC) comprising a eukaryotic cell expressing an antigen presenting complex comprising a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule of a single type, at least one exogenous accessory molecule and at least one exogenous T cell-specific epitope. Methods of use for activation of T lymphocytes are also provided.

The present invention relates to methods for use in the selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling. The present invention further relates to a device for use in carrying out the methods for selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling.

Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising PDX1-positive endoderm cells and methods of producing the same. Also disclosed herein are cell populations comprising substantially purified PDX1-positive endoderm cells as well as methods for enriching, isolating and purifying PDX1-positive endoderm cells from other cell types. Methods of identifying differentiation factors capable of promoting the differentiation of endoderm cells, such as PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells and PDX1-negative definitive endoderm cells, are also disclosed.

Methods and compositions for directing adipose-derived stromal cells cultivated in vitro to differentiate into cells of the chondrocyte lineage are disclosed. The invention further provides a variety of chondroinductive agents which can be used singly or in combination with other nutrient components to induce chondrogenesis in adipose-derived stromal cells either in cultivating monolayers or in a biocompatible lattice or matrix in a three-dimensional configuration. Use of the differentiated chondrocytes for the therapeutic treatment of a number of human conditions and diseases including repair of cartilage in vivo is disclosed.

The invention relates to methods and compositions for the differentiation of stromal cells from adipose tissue into hematopoietic supporting stromal cells and myocytes of both the skeletal and smooth muscle type. The cells produced by the methods are useful in providing a source of fully differentiated and functional cells for research, transplantation and development of tissue engineering products for the treatment of human diseases and traumatic tissue injury repair.

The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

A nanofibrillar structure for cell culture and tissue engineering is disclosed. The nanofibrillar structure can be used in a variety of applications including methods for proliferating and/or differentiating cells and manufacturing a tissue. Also disclosed is an improved nanofiber comprising a lipid, lipophilic molecule, or chemically modified surface. The nanofibers can be used in a variety of applications including the formation of nanofibrillar structures for cell culture and tissue engineering.

The present invention relates to a method for isolating stem/progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The isolated stem cell cells can have embryonic stem cell-like properties and can be used for various therapeutic purposes. In one embodiment, the invention relates to the isolation and cultivation of stem cells such as epithelial and/or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells under conditions allowing the cells to undergo mitotic expansion. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method for the differentiation of the isolated stem/progenitor cells into epithelial and/or mesenchymal cells.

A biodegradable and biocompatible polyurethane composition synthesized by reacting isocyanate groups of at least one multifunctional isocyanate compound with at least one bioactive agent having at least one reactive group —X which is a hydroxyl group (—OH) or an amine group (—NH₂). The polyurethane composition is biodegradable within a living organism to biocompatible degradation products including the bioactive agent. Preferably, the released bioactive agent affects at least one of biological activity or chemical activity in the host organism. A biodegradable polyurethane composition includes hard segments and soft segments. Each of the hard segments is preferably derived from a diurea diol or a diester diol and is preferably biodegradable into biomolecule degradation products or into biomolecule degradation products and a biocompatible diol. Another biodegradable polyurethane composition includes hard segments and soft segments. Each of the hard segments is derived from a diurethane diol and is biodegradable into biomolecule degradation products.

The present invention relates to oligopeptide-free cell culture media comprising at least 0.5 mg/L of a polyamine and to methods for cultivating cells in said oligopeptide-free cell culture media comprising at least 0.5 mg/L of a polyamine. The invention also relates to methods for expressing at least one protein in a medium comprising at least 0.5 mg/L of a polyamine and to methods for producing at least one virus in a medium comprising at least 0.5 mg/L of a polyamine.

Methods, compositions, and kits for repairing damaged myocardium and/or myocardial cells including the administration of stem cells, such as adult stem cells, optionally with cytokines are disclosed and claimed.

A composite osteoimplant. The osteoimplant includes a polymer and bone-derived particles. The composite is adapted and constructed to be formable during or immediately prior to implantation and to be set after final surgical placement.

Methods of treating patients for conditions such as breast augmentation, soft tissue defects, and urinary incontinence, are described. The methods include removing adipose tissue from a patient, processing a portion of the adipose tissue to obtain a substantially isolated population of regenerative cells, mixing the regenerative cells with another portion of adipose tissue to form a composition, and administering the composition to the patient from which the adipose tissue was removed.

Cells grown on a microcarrier are separated from the microcarrier by enzymatically digesting the microcarrier. More specifically, chondrocytes may be grown on dextran microcarrier beadlets and then the beadlets digested using dextranase to separate the chondrocytes from the carrier. Cells can also be grown on chitosan microcarriers to be used for implantation. In addition, cells can be grown on polysaccharide polymers to be used as implant devices. Various polymers serve as scaffolds for cells to be used for implantation. The polymers can be used for cell culture as well as for preparing scaffolds useful for tissue replacement such as cartilage tissue.

A 3-dimensional structure comprising suitable cells (or entities) and the ECM (or matrix) that has been completely produced and arranged by these cells (or entities) that promotes the differentiation, dedifferentiation and/or transdifferentiation of cells and/or formation of tissue in vitro and in vivo, while at the same time promoting cell growth, proliferation, migration, acquisition of in vivo-like morphology, or combinations thereof, and that 1. provides structural and/or nutritional support to cells, tissue, organs, or combinations thereof, termed an “Autogenic Living Scaffold” (ALS); or 2. is capable of being transformed into a more complex tissue (or matrix) or a completely different type of tissue (or matrix), termed a “Living Tissue Matrix” (LTM). Autogenic means it is self-produced. The living cells that produce the LTM or ALS, or are added to Autogenic Living Scaffolds, may be genetically engineered or otherwise modified. The matrix component of the ALS or LTM provides a structural framework for cells that guide their direction of growth, enables them to be correctly spaced, prevents overcrowding, enables cells to communicate between each other, transmit subtle biological signals, receive signals from their environment, form bonds and contacts that are required for proper functioning of all cells within a unit such as a tissue, or combinations thereof. The ALS or LTM may thus provide proper or supporting mechanical and chemical environments, signals, or stimuli to other cells, to the cells that produce the ALS, to surrounding tissue at an implantation site, to a wound, for in vitro and ex vivo generation and regeneration of cells, tissue and organs, or combinations thereof. They may also provide other cells with nutrients, growth factors, and/or other necessary or useful components. They may also take in or serve as buffers for certain substances in the environment, and have also some potential at adapting to new environments.

The invention is in the area of pleuripotent stem cells generated from adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and uses thereof. In particular, the invention includes isolated adipose tissue derived stromal cells that have been induced to express at least one phenotypic characteristic of a neuronal, astroglial, hematopoietic progenitor, or hepatic cell. The invention also includes an isolated adipocyte tissue-derived stromal cell that has been dedifferentiated such that there is an absence of adipocyte phenotypic markers.

A bone marrow isolate rich in one or more connective tissue growth components, methods of forming the isolate, and methods of promoting connective tissue growth using the isolate are described. A biological sample comprising bone marrow is centrifuged to separate the sample into fractions including a fraction rich in connective tissue growth components. The fraction rich in connective tissue growth components is then isolated from the separated sample. The isolate can be used directly or combined with a carrier and implanted into a patient at a tissue (e.g., bone) defect site. The biological sample can comprise bone marrow and whole blood. The isolate can be modified (e.g., by transfection with a nucleic acid encoding an osteoinductive polypeptide operably linked to a promoter) prior to application to the tissue defect site. The isolate can be made and applied to the tissue defect site in a single procedure (i.e., intraoperatively).

Disclosed are compositions and methods for augmenting bone formation by administering isolated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with a ceramic material or matrix or by administering hMSCs; fresh, whole marrow; or combinations thereof in a resorbable biopolymer which supports their differentiation into the osteogenic lineage. Contemplated is the delivery of (i) isolated, culture-expanded, human mesenchymal stem cells; (ii) freshly aspirated bone marrow; or (iii) their combination in a carrier material or matrix.