The present invention provides: a lubricin-localized cartilage-like tissue characterized in that, when in an arbitrary cross section passing a first center of mass of a cartilage-like tissue derived from pluripotent stem cells or a center-of-mass region, which is a portion inside a concentric sphere being centered at the first center of mass and having a diameter of [first major diameter×0.2], the expression level of lubricin per unit area contained in a central region, which is a portion inside a concentric circle being centered at a second center of mass that is the center of mass of the cross section and having a diameter of [major diameter of cross section (second major diameter)×(0.4 to 0.9)] is referred to as the central lubricin level and the expression level of lubricin per unit area contained in the non-central region is referred to as the non-central lubricin level.

The present invention concerns a method for obtaining an implantable cartilage gel for tissue repair of hyaline cartilage, comprising particles of chitosan hydrogel and cells that are capable of forming hyaline cartilage, said method comprising a step for amplification of primary cells in a three-dimensional structure comprising particles of physical hydrogel of chitosan or a chitosan derivative, then a step for re-differentiation and induction of the synthesis of extracellular matrix by said amplified cells, in the same three-dimensional structure, wherein said cells are primary articular chondrocytes and/or mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into chondrocytes. The present invention also concerns the cartilage gel obtained thereby, and its various uses for cartilage repair following a traumatic lesion or an osteoarticular disease such as osteoarthritis. The invention also concerns a three-dimensional matrix comprising particles of physical hydrogel of chitosan or of chitosan derivative, optionally supplemented with an anionic molecule such as hyaluronic acid or a derivative of hyaluronic acid or a complex of hyaluronic acid.

The present invention provides novel biomaterial compositions and methods having a technology to improve retention of hyaluronic acid (HA). The biomaterial compositions utilize small HA binding peptides that is tethered to synthetic biocompatible polymers. When tethered to the polymers, the peptide region allows the polymers to bind to HA. The biocompatible polymers are modified to contain a crosslinking group so that the HA can be incorporated into a scaffold and retained in place. The novel biomaterial 1 compositions can be made into hydrogel compositions and used in a variety of tissue applications, using mild crosslinking conditions and they also have the ability to be degraded with hyaluronidase if needed. Furthermore, the novel biomaterial compositions will enable enhanced interaction between the scaffold and encapsulated cells for a wide variety of tissue engineering applications. Methods of making hydrogel compositions and their use are also provided. The present invention also provides bifunctional biopolymer compositions comprising a biologically compatible polymer having at least one amine reactive moiety and at least one thiol reactive moiety and provides thiolated HA binding peptides which can be used together to coat or chemically modify cartilage or tissues having amine reactive residues with a biologically compatible polymer having HA binding peptides, which allow HA to bind to the surface of the cartilage or tissues. Methods of using same are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a multi-chamber bioreactor, preferably in a polymeric material with a 3D structure, adapted for cell-mono and co-culture, with at least two entries and outputs of culture medium adaptable to be used as a static culture system and to incorporate a dynamic platform creating a bioreactor. The disclosure also relates to a technique based on a bioreactor device that allows the creation of two or more different tissues integrated with the natural phenotype, using an integrated and continuous 3D support structure.

A process providing a method to create 3D scaffolds using nano-scale fibers, comprising: deposition and alignment of a plurality of electrospun fiber layers on a substrate; application of a photosensitive biomedical polymer liquid to each fiber layer deposited on said substrate; deposition and cross-alignment of a plurality of electrospun fiber layers on said substrate; retaining said polymer liquid in place using said cross-aligned fiber layers; curing said polymer liquid on top of each fiber layer using UV light.

A product for implantation within a soft tissue site of the human or animal body comprises a matrix of pulverized or morselized substantially non-mineralized native soft tissue (NSTM) of the human or animal body, provided in a therapeutic amount to induce growth of native tissue or organs and healing at the tissue site. The NSTM is composed of at least one soft tissue selected from the group consisting of cartilage, meniscus, intervertebral disc, ligament, tendon, muscle, fascia, periosteum, pericardium, perichondrium, skin, nerve, blood vessels, and heart valves or from organs such as bladder, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus. Preferably, the NSTM is composed of a soft tissue of the same type of tissue native to the repair site.

Biocompatible copolymers and thermo-responsive hydrogels formed from the copolymers are disclosed. The biocompatible copolymers include monomers comprising polysaccharides or derivatives thereof, therapeutic agents or derivatives thereof and thermo-responsive monomers and are cross-linked with an acrylamide-containing crosslinker. The hydrogels are used as implant materials to treat or prevent joint damage or osteoarthritis in a subject.

A method for making a porous devitalised scaffold suitable for use in repair of osseous, chondral, or osteochondral defects in a mammal comprises the steps of providing micronized extracellular matrix (ECM) tissue, mixing the micronized extracellular matrix with a liquid to provide a slurry, and freeze-drying the slurry to provide the porous scaffold. A porous scaffold suitable for use in repair of osseous, chondral, or osteochondral defects in a mammal and comprising a porous freeze-dried matrix formed from micronised decellularised extracellular matrix tissue is also described.

Disclosed is a cell which enables the reproduction of a cartilage tissue and has a proliferative ability. Also disclosed is a technique for providing a cell supply source which can be used in a definitive treatment of osteochondrosis deformans. A chondrocyte-like cell which has the same properties as those of a chondrocyte and can proliferate can be produced by selecting a combination of an Myc family gene and/or a Klf family gene and a SOX9 gene and introducing the combination into a somatic cell. The chondrocyte-like cell can be used for a medical purpose of cartilage regeneration.

The invention relates to implantable systems for repairing and restoring cartilage. The invention provides methods and products for cartilage repair that use universal chondrocytes. A universal cell line includes cells such as universal chondrocytes that are not immunogenic or allergenic and can be grown in products suitable for use in a number of different people. Use of the universal chondrocytes allows for new processes and products. Where prior art autologous neocartilage constructs required many small reactors (e.g., at least one culture dish per patient to grow one 34 mm disc per patient), using a universal cell line allows, for example, one large batch of cartilage or neocartilage to be made under uniform conditions.