Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is currently the most fatal form of idiopathic interstitial lung disease in which persistent lung injuries result in scar tissue formation. Provided are methods and compositions for the treatment of pulmonary conditions such as fibrosis. Lung spheroid cell-derived conditioned media (LSC-CM) and exosomes (LSC-EXO) are used to treat different models of lung injury. Inhalation treatment with LSC-CM and LSC-EXO-derived compositions can attenuate and/or reverse bleomycin- and silica-induced fibrosis, reestablish normal alveolar structure and decrease extracellular matrix accumulation.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is currently the most fatal form of idiopathic interstitial lung disease in which persistent lung injuries result in scar tissue formation. Provided are methods and compositions for the treatment of pulmonary conditions such as fibrosis. Lung spheroid cell-derived conditioned media (LSC-CM) and exosomes (LSC-EXO) are used to treat different models of lung injury. Inhalation treatment with LSC-CM and LSC-EXO-derived compositions can attenuate and/or reverse bleomycin- and silica-induced fibrosis, reestablish normal alveolar structure and decrease extracellular matrix accumulation.

An implantable medical product and method of use for substantially reducing or eliminating harsh biological responses associated with conventionally implanted medical devices, including inflammation, infection and thrombogenesis, when implanted in in a body of a warm blooded mammal. The bioremodelable pouch structure is configured and sized to receive, encase and retain an electrical medical device therein and to allow such device to be inserted into the internal region or cavity of the pouch structure; with the pouch structure formed from either: (a) first and second sheets, or (b) a single sheet having first and second sheet portions. After receiving the electrical device, the edges around the opening are closed by suturing or stapling. The medical device encased by the bioremodelable pouch structure effectively improves biological functions by promoting tissue regeneration, modulated healing of adjacent tissue or growth of new tissue when implanted in the body of the mammal.

Methods and uses of biological tissues for various stent and other medical applications. In an exemplary embodiment of a method of processing a tissue of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of acquiring a mammalian tissue comprising at least a portion of a pulmonary region tissue, selecting a sample of pulmonary region tissue from the at least a portion of a pulmonary region tissue, and fixing the sample of pulmonary region tissue using a fixative, resulting in a fixed sample. In at least one embodiment, the step of selecting a sample of pulmonary region tissue comprises selecting a sample of pulmonary ligament tissue from the mammalian tissue.

Methods and uses of biological tissues for various stent and other medical applications. In an exemplary embodiment of a method of processing a tissue of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of acquiring a mammalian tissue comprising at least a portion of a pulmonary region tissue, selecting a sample of pulmonary region tissue from the at least a portion of a pulmonary region tissue, and fixing the sample of pulmonary region tissue using a fixative, resulting in a fixed sample. In at least one embodiment, the step of selecting a sample of pulmonary region tissue comprises selecting a sample of pulmonary ligament tissue from the mammalian tissue.

Subpopulations of spore-like cells expressing specific cell surface and gene expression markers are provided. In one embodiment, the cells express at least one cell surface or gene expression marker selected from the group consisting of Oct4, nanog, Zfp296, cripto, Gdf3, UtF1, Ecat1, Esg1, Sox2, Pax6, nestin, SCA-1, CD29, CD34, CD90, B1 integrin, cKit, SP-C, CC10, SF1, DAX1, and SCG10. Also provided are methods for purifying a subpopulation of spore-like cells of interest from a population of spore-like cells, and methods for inducing differentiation of the isolated spore-like cells into cells of endodermal, mesodermal or ectodermal origin. The spore-like cells can be used to generate cells originating from all three germ layers and can be used to treat a patient who has a deficiency of functional cells in any of a wide variety of tissues, including the retina, intestine, bladder, kidney, liver, lung, nervous system, or endocrine system.

Subpopulations of spore-like cells expressing specific cell surface and gene expression markers are provided. In one embodiment, the cells express at least one cell surface or gene expression marker selected from the group consisting of Oct4, nanog, Zfp296, cripto, Gdf3, UtF1, Ecat1, Esg1, Sox2, Pax6, nestin, SCA-1, CD29, CD34, CD90, B1 integrin, cKit, SP-C, CC10, SF1, DAX1, and SCG10. Also provided are methods for purifying a subpopulation of spore-like cells of interest from a population of spore-like cells, and methods for inducing differentiation of the isolated spore-like cells into cells of endodermal, mesodermal or ectodermal origin. The spore-like cells can be used to generate cells originating from all three germ layers and can be used to treat a patient who has a deficiency of functional cells in any of a wide variety of tissues, including the retina, intestine, bladder, kidney, liver, lung, nervous system, or endocrine system.

The present invention relates to the discovery that different stem cell types (e.g., bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSC)) undergo large changes in lung epithelial marker expression depending on the substrate on which they are cultured. The present invention includes methods and compositions for differentiating of mesenchymal stem cells, such as bone marrow and adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells, into lung cells, populations of lung cells, and methods of alleviating or treating a lung defect in a subject in need thereof.

The present invention relates to the discovery that different stem cell types (e.g., bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSC)) undergo large changes in lung epithelial marker expression depending on the substrate on which they are cultured. The present invention includes methods and compositions for differentiating of mesenchymal stem cells, such as bone marrow and adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells, into lung cells, populations of lung cells, and methods of alleviating or treating a lung defect in a subject in need thereof.

The present invention provides processes for producing a bioengineered lung (BEL) from an acellular lung matrix that has been treated with growth hormones, seeded with primary lung cells, and cultured in a bioreactor. Also provided are BELs and methods of transplanting the BEL into a subject in need of a lung transplant, and methods for using BELs for the study of the lung microbiome and its role in lung development and remodeling.