In vitro and in vivo application of sub-atmospheric, negative pressure on growth factor starting material, such as whole blood, extracts growth factors from the platelet granules of the growth factor starting material in a non-destructive medium without activating the clotting process. The extracted growth factors are released into a growth factor composition containing blood plasma, extracellular fluid or interstitial fluid depending upon the type and location of the growth factor starting material. The growth factors have a weight of about 70-76 kDaltons and are applied in either a filtered or unfiltered state topically to the area of a surface wound to effect healing. The extracted growth factors are also injected into soft tissue, such as a torn tendon, to promote tissue growth and healing. The growth factors are released in one method from a patient's own blood. In another method the growth factors are released from a whole blood source and freeze dried by lyophilization. Then at a later date, the freeze-dried product is reconstituted by normal saline for treatment of a patient's wound, for use in a surgical procedure, or for tissue regeneration.

The present disclosure is broadly concerned with petrolatum-based compositions as a suspension matrix for the active ingredients. The disclosure is also concerned with processes for forming stable emulsions of active ingredients in petrolatum.

A method for treating an ocular disorder in a subject comprising administering a therapeutic agent-loaded carrier to an ocular site of the subject in need thereof, wherein the therapeutic agent loaded-carrier provides controlled delivery of the therapeutic agent under conditions suitable for recruiting regulatory T cells to an ocular region of interest or inducing regulatory T cells in an ocular region of interest.

Compositions comprising a condensed mesenchymal cell body and a hydrogel are provided. The compositions may further include drugs or growth factors. The condensed mesenchymal cell body may include a connective tissue cell, or even a progenitor cell capable of producing connective tissue extracellular matrices such collagen and glycosaminoglycan. Also provided are methods of treating connective tissue defects, cartilage injury, and cartilage degradation.

Ophthalmic devices coated with an active agent eluting coating are provided herein. Placement of the coated ophthalmic devices on the surface of eye results in modulation of cells responding to an immune modifying agent and reducing inflammation-related complications in the eye. Methods for treating ocular disorders are also provided herein. The disclosed subject matter is based, in part, on the discovery that ophthalmic devices coated with a cytokine eluting coating can shift early-stage macrophage polarization associated with alleviation of symptoms and causes of inflammatory ocular disorders.

Ophthalmic devices coated with an active agent eluting coating are provided herein. Placement of the coated ophthalmic devices on the surface of eye results in modulation of cells responding to an immune modifying agent and reducing inflammation-related complications in the eye. Methods for treating ocular disorders are also provided herein. The disclosed subject matter is based, in part, on the discovery that ophthalmic devices coated with a cytokine eluting coating can shift early-stage macrophage polarization associated with alleviation of symptoms and causes of inflammatory ocular disorders.

The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and compositions for functional interaction of fibroblasts with one or more types of immune cells such that the interaction results in modification to the fibroblasts, the one or more types of immune cells, or both. In some embodiments, one or more certain agents are also utilized during the interaction or in lieu of one of the types of cells. In specific embodiments, cells to be used in cellular transplantation therapy are modified to have reduced immunogenicity.

The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and compositions for functional interaction of fibroblasts with one or more types of immune cells such that the interaction results in modification to the fibroblasts, the one or more types of immune cells, or both. In some embodiments, one or more certain agents are also utilized during the interaction or in lieu of one of the types of cells. In specific embodiments, cells to be used in cellular transplantation therapy are modified to have reduced immunogenicity.

The present invention provides microparticles that induce the migration of multipotent stem cells to the anatomical site of the microparticles. Various release profiles are demonstrated that depend upon the relative concentration of alginate in the chemokine-loaded microparticle. Local administration and/or intraarticular injection of the microparticles are useful in conditions such as osteoarthritis. Targeted systemic delivery of the alginate chemokine microparticles to distant anatomical sites subjected to autoimmune disease symptomology can be performed by encapsulation within liposomes having targeting ligands. Consequently, upon the creation of the appropriate chemokine gradient, multipotent stem cells will migrate to the distant anatomical site where the liposomes are attached.

Methods of treating individuals with a glucose metabolism disorder and/or a body weight disorder, and compositions associated therewith, are provided.