The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of a Collagen gene, in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of a Collagen gene. The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of Collagen genes.

One aspect of the invention provides a method of preventing or reducing stenosis in a subject. The method includes implanting a passivated graft comprising vein into an artery. The implanting of the graft replaces and/or bypasses a diseased segment of the artery. The passivated graft including vein is prepared by exposing the exterior surface of the passivated graft comprising vein to a tissue structure stabilizing agent (“TSSA”) under conditions sufficient to promote cross-linking of proteins within the vein.

The present invention relates to a peripheral nerve-specific hydrogel material, which is deliverable in a minimally invasive fashion, sustains the growth of neurons, and speeds recovery following surgical reconstruction.

The presently disclosed composition and methods are provided for a hydrogel or nanofiber-hydrogel composite integrated with a surgical scaffold or mesh. A surgical scaffold device comprised of laminar composite is disclosed for the purpose of reducing foreign body response, managing tissue-materials interface, and improving the integration of the surgical mesh with the surrounding tissue of a subject.

The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods for reducing or eliminating the thrombogenicity of a graft by modifying the graft with a cell-derived extracellular matrix lacking thrombospondin-2 (TSP2-null ECM) to render it non-thrombogenic when transplanted to a subject in need thereof. The invention also provides a method for improving the biocompatibility of a medical device or an implant by modifying the medical device or implant with a cell-derived TSP2-null ECM, whereby the medical device or implant is rendered non-thrombogenic and pro-migratory.

Embodiments herein relate to a method of providing features (LCD, HD, HD_IN, HD_OUT) on an implantable material (ID), the method comprising: providing an implantable material (ID) comprising a decellularized sterilized mammalian tissue having an extracellular matrix, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces of the extracellular matrix include a solution of one or more polyols, providing one or more features (LCD, HD, HD_IN, HD_OUT) on said implantable material (ID) by laser treatment.

A method is provided for preparing an ECM material, including an ECM gel, from regenerative or regenerating tissue. ECM material prepared from regenerative or regenerating materials also is provided.

The present invention provides for a liver tissue model construct composed of biomaterials and cells, to be used for scientific research within in the 3D liver tissue modelling field. The applications of said tissue model construct can be specific for pharmaceutical evaluations and/or discoveries, regenerative medicine investigations, tissue engineering developments, and liver physiology and/or pathology.

Methods are disclosed herein for producing a mammalian acoustic extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel. In further embodiments, mammalian acoustic ECM hydrogels are disclosed that are produced using the disclosed methods. Also disclosed is a mammalian acoustic ECM hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel is thermoreversible. Methods of using these acoustic ECM hydrogels are also disclosed.

A composition for treating a patient with a tissue disease or malformity has a composition containing amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid has a quantity of gender specific amniotic fluid based on a gender of a fetal source. A method of treating a patient with a tissue disease or malformity comprises the steps of: identifying the tissue region to be treated and selecting a location to apply either topically or by injection or inhalation a composition containing amniotic fluid; selecting the composition containing amniotic fluid wherein the amniotic fluid has a quantity of gender specific amniotic fluid based on a gender of a fetal source allowing more specific targeted growth factors to be used for specific disease processes; and applying or injecting the composition at or into the selected location.