Biphasic tissue constructs that include a scaffold having one or more channels, a vascular portion comprising a hydrogel at least partially disposed in the one or more channels, and a first bioactive growth factor and a second bioactive growth factor different from the first bioactive growth factor, the first bioactive growth factor localized to the scaffold and the second bioactive growth factor localized to the vascular portion. The first bioactive growth factor may be bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) peptide and the second bioactive growth factor may be vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) peptide.

Described herein are engineered multilayered vascular tubes comprising at least one layer of differentiated adult fibroblasts, at least one layer of differentiated adult smooth muscle cells, wherein any layer further comprises differentiated adult endothelial cells, wherein said tubes have the following features: (a) a ratio of endothelial cells to smooth muscle cells of about 1:99 to about 45:55; (b) the tube is compliant; (c) the internal diameter of the tube is about 6 mm or smaller; (d) the length of the tube is up to about 30 cm; and (e) the thickness of the tube is substantially uniform along a region of the tube; provided that the engineered multilayered vascular tube is free of any pre-formed scaffold. Also described herein are methods of forming said tubes and uses for said tubes including methods for treating patients, comprising providing such a tube into to a patient in need thereof.

The present invention relates, in part, to blood-brain barrier-like tissues that comprise engineered E40RF1+ endothelial cells, and to various compositions and methods useful for making and using such blood-brain barrier-like tissues—both in vitro and in vivo.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides a scalable and electrostretching approach for generating hydrogel microfibers exhibiting uniaxial alignment from aqueous polymer solutions. Such hydrogel microfibers can be generated from a variety of water-soluble natural polymers or synthetic polymers. The hydrogel microfibers can be used for controlled release of bioactive agents. The internal uniaxial alignment exhibited by the presently disclosed hydrogel fibers provides improved mechanical properties to hydrogel microfibers, and contact guidance cues and induces alignment for cells seeded on or within the hydrogel microfibers.

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.

Methods for decellularizing organs and tissues in vitro and in vivo are provided, as are methods of maintaining organ and tissue frameworks and methods of recellularizing organs and tissues, thereby providing an approach to needed organs or tissues.

A three-dimensional (3D) biocompatible, degradable soft tissue implant, comprising a bioprinted composite scaffold, the composite scaffold comprising a recombinant human collagen (rhCollagen) and a biocompatible synthetic polymer and features: a porous wall; an inner cavity at least partially enclosed within the porous wall; and at least one injection port that connects the inner cavity with an outer most surface of the scaffold, wherein the injection port has an opening sized to permit insertion of an injection device through the port, processes of preparing same and uses thereof in soft tissue reconstruction are provided. Injectable matrices for use in soft tissue reconstruction, either alone or in combination with the implant are also provided.

A soft tissue device can incorporate a composite material comprising a gel and at least one nanostructure disposed within the gel. A soft tissue device can further incorporate biologically active materials such as cells, tissues. A method for healing a soft tissue defect while promoting soft tissue regeneration can include applying a soft tissue device to a soft tissue defect, wherein the composite material includes a gel and a nanostructure disposed within the gel. A method for manufacturing a soft tissue device for use in healing soft tissue defects can include providing a gel, disposing nanofibers within the gel, and a biologically active material.

Autologous prevascularized breast tissue constructs created via 3D printing and methods for 3D printing autologous prevascularized breast tissue constructs. The method comprises steps of: (i) providing a triculture consisting of adipose mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial progenitor cells, (ii) mixing the triculture cells with a bioink composed of biopolymers, (iii) printing three-dimensional structures of the breast tissue construct using the triculture-added bioink from step (ii), where the cells of the triculture are pretreated with growth media before printing so that the endothelial progenitor cells differentiate into endothelial cells and the adipose mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into adipocytes. After 3D printing, the development of vascular-like structures is induced.

This document provides methods and materials for performing retinal pigment epithelium transplantation. For example, methods and materials for using fibrin supports for retinal pigment epithelium transplantation are provided.