This invention relates, e.g., to a Myocyte-based Flow Assist Device (MFAD) for treating a subject in need of increased flow of a biological fluid, such as venous blood or lymph, comprising a sheath which comprises rhythmically contracting myocytes.

This invention relates, e.g., to a Myocyte-based Flow Assist Device (MFAD) for treating a subject in need of increased flow of a biological fluid, such as venous blood or lymph, comprising a sheath which comprises rhythmically contracting myocytes.

Embodiments of the disclosure concern compositions and methods of use related to particular c-kit+ mesenchymal cells, including cardiac stem cells, obtained from a pediatric or neonatal individual. In specific embodiments, the cells, or conditioned medium or partial or total secretomes thereof, are provided in an effective amount to an individual in need thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure concern compositions and methods of use related to particular c-kit+ mesenchymal cells, including cardiac stem cells, obtained from a pediatric or neonatal individual. In specific embodiments, the cells, or conditioned medium or partial or total secretomes thereof, are provided in an effective amount to an individual in need thereof.

The present application provides methods of functionalizing an organ or tissue of a mammal by administering a nutrient (e.g., peracetylated N-azido galactosamine Ac4GalNAz) to the mammal or by culturing an organ or tissue in a bioreactor containing such nutrient. The present application also provides methods of selectively functionalizing extracellular matrix (ECM) of an organ or tissue of a mammal by administering a nutrient (e.g., peracetylated N-azido galactosamine Ac4GalNAz) to the mammal. In some aspects, the present application provides a decellularized scaffold of a mammalian organ or tissue comprising an extracellular matrix, wherein the extracellular matrix of the decellularized scaffold is functionalized with a chemical group that is reactive in a bioorthogonal chemical reaction, such as an azide chemical group. The present application also provides biological prosthetic mesh and mammalian organs and tissues for transplantation prepared according to the methods of the application.

The present application provides methods of functionalizing an organ or tissue of a mammal by administering a nutrient (e.g., peracetylated N-azido galactosamine Ac4GalNAz) to the mammal or by culturing an organ or tissue in a bioreactor containing such nutrient. The present application also provides methods of selectively functionalizing extracellular matrix (ECM) of an organ or tissue of a mammal by administering a nutrient (e.g., peracetylated N-azido galactosamine Ac4GalNAz) to the mammal. In some aspects, the present application provides a decellularized scaffold of a mammalian organ or tissue comprising an extracellular matrix, wherein the extracellular matrix of the decellularized scaffold is functionalized with a chemical group that is reactive in a bioorthogonal chemical reaction, such as an azide chemical group. The present application also provides biological prosthetic mesh and mammalian organs and tissues for transplantation prepared according to the methods of the application.

A tissue graft for soft tissue repair or reconstruction comprising a sheet of a biopolymer-based matrix having a plurality of small perforations and a plurality of large perforations. The small perforations are sized to facilitate clotting and granulation tissue development within the perforations which, in turn, facilitates revascularization and cell repopulation in the patient. The large perforations are sized to reduce the occurrence of clotting and granulation tissue development within the perforations so that extravascular tissue fluids accumulating at the implant site can drain through the tissue graft. The large perforations enhance mammal tissue anchoring by permitting mammal tissue to compress into the perforations increasing mammal tissue contact area.

A tissue graft for soft tissue repair or reconstruction comprising a sheet of a biopolymer-based matrix having a plurality of small perforations and a plurality of large perforations. The small perforations are sized to facilitate clotting and granulation tissue development within the perforations which, in turn, facilitates revascularization and cell repopulation in the patient. The large perforations are sized to reduce the occurrence of clotting and granulation tissue development within the perforations so that extravascular tissue fluids accumulating at the implant site can drain through the tissue graft. The large perforations enhance mammal tissue anchoring by permitting mammal tissue to compress into the perforations increasing mammal tissue contact area.

The present disclosure encompasses methods for generating cells or tissue from existing cells with one or more mutated variants of Yap. In specific embodiments, the disclosure regards treatment of existing cardiomyocytes with one or more mutated variants of Yap that causes them to divide and generate new cardiomyocytes. In specific cases, the mutated variant of Yap has serine-to-alanine substitutions at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more serines of Yap.

The present disclosure encompasses methods for generating cells or tissue from existing cells with one or more mutated variants of Yap. In specific embodiments, the disclosure regards treatment of existing cardiomyocytes with one or more mutated variants of Yap that causes them to divide and generate new cardiomyocytes. In specific cases, the mutated variant of Yap has serine-to-alanine substitutions at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more serines of Yap.