The present application relates to use of transglutaminases to treat various tissue matrix products. The methods can include application of a transglutaminase to a partially denatured collagen-containing tissue matrix and implantation of the tissue matrix. The transglutaminase can facilitate adhesion with another collagen-containing tissue matrix, tissue surrounding the tissue matrix after implantation, or both.

The present application relates to use of transglutaminases to treat various tissue matrix products. The methods can include application of a transglutaminase to a partially denatured collagen-containing tissue matrix and implantation of the tissue matrix. The transglutaminase can facilitate adhesion with another collagen-containing tissue matrix, tissue surrounding the tissue matrix after implantation, or both.

A microfluidic system including a number of microfluidic devices having a first perfusion path and a second separate perfusion path; the microfluidic devices each also having a chamber containing a matrix, where the matrix surrounds at least one void whose lumen is in fluidic connection exclusively with the first perfusion path, where the at least one void is populated with at least one cell type in such way that the cells are in direct contact with the matrix; where the matrix is in fluidic connection exclusively with the second separate perfusion path. The microfluidic devices are integrated onto a platform; and each of the microfluidic devices mimics at least a partial organ module.

The present disclosure provides a method of storing stem cells while maintaining high viability at low temperatures in an unfrozen state. In one aspect, the present disclosure is a method for storing stem cells and provides the method including: 1) a step of providing a storage solution including a gelling agent at a temperature more than a gelling temperature in a non-gelled state and having a pH of about 5.0 to about 8.0; 2) a step of putting the stem cells into the storage solution and then lowering a temperature to the gelling temperature of the gelling agent; and 3) a step of storing the storage solution including the stem cells at a gel-state maintaining temperature of the gelling agent. In some embodiments, the gelling agent may include collagen, denatured collagen, collagen-like peptide, gelatin, or any combination thereof.

The present disclosure provides a method of storing stem cells while maintaining high viability at low temperatures in an unfrozen state. In one aspect, the present disclosure is a method for storing stem cells and provides the method including: 1) a step of providing a storage solution including a gelling agent at a temperature more than a gelling temperature in a non-gelled state and having a pH of about 5.0 to about 8.0; 2) a step of putting the stem cells into the storage solution and then lowering a temperature to the gelling temperature of the gelling agent; and 3) a step of storing the storage solution including the stem cells at a gel-state maintaining temperature of the gelling agent. In some embodiments, the gelling agent may include collagen, denatured collagen, collagen-like peptide, gelatin, or any combination thereof.

Provided are a cryopreservation liquid for bovine reproductive cells such as bovine sperms and a cryopreservation method thereof. Adopted is a cryopreservation liquid comprising: 0.3 to 0.9 w/w % of an amphoteric polyelectrolyte (an antifreeze polyamino acid), which is -poly-L-lysine having a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 20,000 wherein 50 to 99 mol % of amino groups of the -poly-L-lysine are blocked as carboxylated by having been reacted with the succinic anhydride; and 2 to 4 w/w % of glycerol, as dissolved in a physiological solution. A preferred embodiment of the cryopreservation method comprises steps of: primary diluting, in which bovine semen is diluted to 2.5 to 10 times with a physiological solution and kept at 2 to 8 C.; and secondary diluting, in which the bovine semen is diluted to 5 to 20 times while being kept at 2 to 8 C., by adding dropwise a physiological solution containing the amphoteric polyelectrolyte (antifreeze polyamino acid) and glycerol to a suspension obtained in the primary diluting.

Provided are a cryopreservation liquid for bovine reproductive cells such as bovine sperms and a cryopreservation method thereof. Adopted is a cryopreservation liquid comprising: 0.3 to 0.9 w/w % of an amphoteric polyelectrolyte (an antifreeze polyamino acid), which is -poly-L-lysine having a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 20,000 wherein 50 to 99 mol % of amino groups of the -poly-L-lysine are blocked as carboxylated by having been reacted with the succinic anhydride; and 2 to 4 w/w % of glycerol, as dissolved in a physiological solution. A preferred embodiment of the cryopreservation method comprises steps of: primary diluting, in which bovine semen is diluted to 2.5 to 10 times with a physiological solution and kept at 2 to 8 C.; and secondary diluting, in which the bovine semen is diluted to 5 to 20 times while being kept at 2 to 8 C., by adding dropwise a physiological solution containing the amphoteric polyelectrolyte (antifreeze polyamino acid) and glycerol to a suspension obtained in the primary diluting.

A method for damaged viable disc regeneration has the steps of identifying the damaged viable disc and inserting a cannula via Kambin's Triangle to an edge of an outer annulus of the disc; introducing a trocar into the cannula and penetrating the trocar into a central region of nucleus pulposus; removing a tissue biopsy sample from the nucleus pulposus for pathology and removing additional degenerative tissue from the central region to create a void or space; withdrawing the trocar from the cannula and inserting a needle into the cannula to the void or space; and injecting a regenerative disc material through the needle into the void or space to repair the damaged disc.

A method for damaged viable disc regeneration has the steps of identifying the damaged viable disc and inserting a cannula via Kambin's Triangle to an edge of an outer annulus of the disc; introducing a trocar into the cannula and penetrating the trocar into a central region of nucleus pulposus; removing a tissue biopsy sample from the nucleus pulposus for pathology and removing additional degenerative tissue from the central region to create a void or space; withdrawing the trocar from the cannula and inserting a needle into the cannula to the void or space; and injecting a regenerative disc material through the needle into the void or space to repair the damaged disc.

Provided herein are peptide-based hydrogels, or neutral multidomain peptide hydrogel (NMDP), as well as uses thereof. The uses include encapsulating cells to induce quiescence for long-term storage and administering to a subject to induce collagen deposition and macrophage infiltration. The disclosed hydrogel is useful for the preservation of stem cells, including maintaining their quiescence and differentiation potential.