The instant invention provides electrospun fiber compositions comprising one or more polymers and one or more biologically active agents. In specific embodiments, the biologically active agents are nerve growth factors. In certain embodiments, the electrospun fiber compositions comprising one or more biologically active agents are on the surface of a film, or a tube. The tubes comprising the electrospun fiber compositions of the invention can be used, for example, as nerve guide conduits.

Methods for inhibiting stenosis, obstruction and/or calcification of a heart valve following implantation in a vessel having a wall are disclosed. In one aspect the method includes providing a bioprosthetic heart valve mounted on an elastical stent; treating the bioprosthetic heart valve with a tissue fixative; coating the stent and the bioprosthetic valve with a coating composition including one or more therapeutic agents; implanting the bioprosthetic valve into the vessel in a diseased natural valve site; eluting the coating composition from the bioprosthetic valve; and inhibiting stenosis, obstruction and/or calcification of the bioprosthetic heart valve by preventing the attachment of stem cells to the bioprosthetic heart valve, the stem cells circulating external and proximate to the bioprosthetic heart valve by activating nitric oxide production (i) in the circulating stem cells, (ii) in an endothelial cell lining covering the bioprosthetic heart valve tissue, (iii) or both.

Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into the eye. Desirably, the release of the therapeutic agent from the implant is controlled. The controlled release of the therapeutic agent can be at a chosen rate and/or for a selected duration which can be episodic or periodic. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Methods for treating or preventing neointima stenosis are disclosed. The methods generally involve the use of a TGFβ inhibitor, a SMAD2 inhibitor, an FGF Receptor agonist, a Let-7 agonist, or a combination thereof, to inhibit endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (Endo-MT) of vascular endothelial cells into smooth muscle cells (SMC) at sites of endothelial damage. The disclosed methods can therefore be used to prevent or inhibit neointimal stenosis or restenosis, e.g., after angioplasty, vascular graft, or stent. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the patency of biodegradable, synthetic vascular grafts using a composition that inhibits Endo-MT. A cell-free tissue engineered vascular graft (TEVG) produced by this method is also disclosed.

Disclosed herein are flowable tissue matrix compositions comprising small pieces of partially or completely decellularized tissue suspended in a gelatinized tissue or gelatin gel comprising partially or completely decellularized tissue or synthetic gelatin. The flowable tissue matrix compositions can contain factors that promote or enhance native cell migration, proliferation, and/or revascularization after implantation into a subject. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the flowable tissue matrix compositions. The compositions can be implanted into a tissue in need of repair, regeneration, healing, treatment, and/or alteration, and can promote or enhance native cell migration, proliferation, and/or revascularization.

Decellularized muscle matrices are provided for use as implants and grafts to repair, regenerate, supplement, reinforce and replace muscle tissue. The decellularized muscle matrices are derived from muscle tissue having preserved extracellular matrix components, retained muscle-forming potential, and from which immunogenic components have been removed. The decellularized muscle matrices are produced in various physical forms and combinations. Methods for making and using the decellularized muscle matrices are also provided.

The present invention relates to nanoparticles comprising nucleic acids coated with a (biodegradable) polymer for reversible immobilization and/or controlled release of the nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to medical or diagnostic devices, particularly stents and implants coated by a (biodegradable) polymer with the nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles for reversible immobilization and/or controlled release. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to the use of these nanoparticles coated with a (biodegradable) polymer and to the use of medical devices and implants coated by the (biodegradable) polymer with these nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of diseases, particularly in the prevention or treatment of restenosis, calicification, foreign body reaction, or inflammation. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method of preparing these nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles coated with a (biodegradable) polymer and to a method for coating nucleic acid comprising nanoparticles by a (biodegradable) polymer on medical or diagnostic devices.

Treatment of fibrosis and fibrotic diseases, disorders, and conditions, and associated methods, compositions, formulations and articles.

Provided is a biocomposite including cells, a genetic construction, and a scaffold and a method for repairing tissue and organs in mammalians with the biocomposite. The interaction of the components of the biocomposite provides a complex effect on reparative regeneration processes. Also provided is a method for administration of gene-cellular therapeutic constructions to a recipient which can be used in medicine and veterinary to provide reparative processes. After administering the biocomposite to a recipient, the scaffold structure releases the nucleic acids which enter into the cells of a recipient bed and cells of the transplanted product. The nucleic acids are expressed, which results in the increased concentration of a target product responsible for reparative processes.

Compositions including a surface or film comprising nanofibers, nanotubes or microwells comprising a bioactive agent for elution to the surrounding tissue upon placement of the composition in a subject are disclosed The compositions are useful in medical implants and methods of treating a patient in need of an implant, including orthopedic implants, dental implants, cardiovascular implants, neurological implants, neurovascular implants, gastrointestinal implants, muscular implants, and ocular implants.