The present invention relates to a biomaterial comprising adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), a biocompatible material and an extracellular matrix. In particular, the biomaterial according the present invention secretes osteoprotegerin (OPG). The present invention also relates to methods for producing the biomaterial and uses thereof.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

There are disclosed compositions for achieving reverse phase characteristics, methods of preparation thereof, and the use of amniotic tissue for cartilage repair. In an embodiment, a biocompatible articular tissue repair composition may have a therapeutic material and a carrier configured for achieving reverse phase characteristics, and methods for using the composition. In various embodiments, the therapeutic material may be amniotic tissue. In various embodiments, the carrier may be a poloxamer such as poloxamer 407. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a cartilage matrix having a high decellularization level arid a low glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. The cartilage matrix exhibits desirable characteristics, for example, cohesiveness, tackiness and malleability, for use in cartilage repair. Also provided is a method of preparing the cartilage matrix, comprising decellularizing a cartilage to generate a decellularized cartilage, and deglycosylating the decellularized cartilage.

This invention provides aragonite- and calcite-based scaffolds for the repair, regeneration, enhancement of formation or a combination thereof of cartilage and/or bone, which scaffolds comprise at least two phases, wherein each phase differs in terms of its chemical content, or structure, kits comprising the same, processes for producing solid aragonite or calcite scaffolds and methods of use thereof.

Disclosed is a three-dimensional tissue culture, comprising chondrocytes in a biocompatible artificial matrix, having at least the following layers: a first layer located at or close to a surface of the matrix, wherein chondrocytes have a non-spherical shape and are arranged essentially in parallel to the surface along their longest dimension; and a second layer at least partially covered by the first layer wherein the mean sphericity of the chondrocytes of the second layer is higher than the mean sphericity of the chondrocytes of the first layer; and preferably a third layer at least partially covered by the second layer, wherein chondrocytes are arranged into columns extending into the matrix, wherein each column has at least two chondrocytes. Such a tissue culture may for instance be used as artificial cartilage in surgery. Also disclosed is a method to produce such a three-dimensional culture.

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.

Compositions containing curable recombinant human collagen, and kits comprising same, which are usable in preparing modeling material formulations for additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D bioprinting) of 3D objects are provided. Methods utilizing such modeling material formulations in additive manufacturing of 3D objects having a collagen-based material in at least a portion thereof, are also provided. The formulations feature a desired viscosity at a temperature higher than 10 C. (e.g., room temperature or 37 C.) and allow performing the additive manufacturing without cooling the system or a part thereof.

The present invention provides a magnetically-actuated articular cartilage regeneration system for efficiently and nonsurgically regenerating articular cartilage.

The present invention relates to a method of providing a graft scaffold for cartilage repair, particularly in a human patient. The method of the invention comprising the steps of providing particles and/or fibres; providing an aqueous solution of a gelling polysaccharide; providing mammalian cells; mixing said particles and/or fibres, said aqueous solution of a gelling polysaccharide and said mammalian cells to obtain a printing mix; and depositing said printing mix in a three-dimensional form. The invention further relates to graft scaffolds and grafts obtained by the method of the invention.