Methods for developing a decellularized tissue and biomaterials for use as biomimetic grafts or in vitro cellular scaffolds formed with the decellularized tissue are described. The biomaterials are particularly well suited for use as an intervertebral disc graft. The decellularized tissue is formed from an intervertebral disc source tissue and can be substantially decellularized and substantially free of potential immunogenic material (e.g., DNA and RNA), while maintaining ECM materials including both glycosaminoglycan and collagen.

Biocompatible biomimetic materials that exhibit desirable mechanical properties while also encouraging cell ingrowth and proliferation are described. The biomaterials include a multi-layer laminate of three or more decellularized aligned collagen tissues. The individual layers are aligned with one another in an angle-ply arrangement, with the collagen of each layer aligned at an angle to the collagen of the adjacent layer. The biomaterials are useful as collagenous graft materials such as a patch for a hernia in an annulus fibrosus or grafting materials for repair of tendons, ligaments, cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissues.

The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal and methods of fabrication. The IVD comprises a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and type I collagen. The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosis structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosis structure. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating tissue-engineered intervertebral discs.

Provided are compositions and methods of making a hydrogel-forming composition comprising decellularized porcine nucleus pulposus tissue that is solubilized and supplemented with collagen, then neutralized and thermally gelled in the presence of genipin. The hydrogel-forming composition may be injected into a joint or surrounding tissue of a subject having pain or inflammation. The pain or inflammation may be caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD), wherein administration of the hydrogel-forming composition into the IVD may restore the lost disc volume and alleviate the pain and inflammation.

The present disclosure describes methods of treating an injury in a subject using placental tissue streamers, engineered tissue placental tissue hybrids, suture placental tissue hybrids, placental tissue patch hybrids, and tissue hybrids, and the use of these compositions to repair, treat, or support an injury or degenerative process in a subject.

The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal and methods of fabrication. The IVD comprises a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and type I collagen. The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosis structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosis structure. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating tissue-engineered intervertebral discs.

The present disclosure describes methods of treating an injury in a subject using placental tissue streamers, engineered tissue placental tissue hybrids, suture placental tissue hybrids, placental tissue patch hybrids, and tissue hybrids, and the use of these compositions to repair, treat, or support an injury or degenerative process in a subject.

The invention provides a method of making a biological disc graft. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating back or neck pain. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating any joint pain. The invention also provides a method of implanting said biological disc graft in a way that is minimally invasive and less dangerous.

This invention relates to compositions and methods for activating and promoting mineralization in tissue that does not normally mineralize, specifically intervertebral discs. The composition comprises agents that increase the expression of the gene that encodes TNAP and/or the activation, amount or activity of TNAP protein, and agents that decrease the expression of ANK and/or ENPP and/or the activation, amount or activity of these proteins. The composition can be in the form of a cell or cells. The invention also relates to methods of using the composition.

This invention relates to compositions and methods for activating and promoting mineralization in tissue that does not normally mineralize, specifically intervertebral discs. The composition comprises agents that increase the expression of the gene that encodes TNAP and/or the activation, amount or activity of TNAP protein, and agents that decrease the expression of ANK and/or ENPP and/or the activation, amount or activity of these proteins. The composition can be in the form of a cell or cells. The invention also relates to methods of using the composition.