The present invention generally relates to calcium-containing structures and methods of making and using the structures. In one aspect, hollow calcium containing microstructures are used in conjunction with bone tissues/by-products to augment bone defects and extend the supply of bone tissues/by-products for bone augmentation. Bonding agents, such as calcium cements, are also used in the preparation of the hollow calcium microstructures combined with bone tissues/by-products or for use in preparing the hollow microstructures. The calcium-containing microstructures of the present invention are also useful as delivery vehicles of nitric oxide and/or nitric oxide containing or producing compounds for a variety of in vitro and in vivo uses. Calcium containing contoured substrates upon which cells/tissues can be grown in vitro for replacement and repair of tissues in vivo that conform in size and shape to the tissue surface to be replaced are also provided.

A stem cell carrier includes a plurality of single units. The plurality of single units are formed three-dimensionally interconnected to each other to form a cubic structure. The plurality of single units are made of a porous material. Each single unit has three-dimensionally formed through holes crossing each other, and each through hole has 400 to 500 micrometers in diameter. The through holes of the plurality of single units are interconnected to each other to form a plurality of channels which are formed from one side of the cubic structure to the other side.

The present invention relates to a nanohelix-substrate complex for controlling adhesion and polarization of macrophages, a manufacturing method thereof, and a method of controlling adhesion and polarization of macrophages by using the nanohelix-substrate complex, and the method of controlling adhesion and polarization of macrophages may temporally and reversibly control adhesion and phenotypic polarization of macrophages in vivo and ex vivo by controlling application/non-application of a magnetic field to the nanohelix-substrate complex.

A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

In one aspect, methods of promoting bone growth are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of promoting bone growth described herein comprises promoting cell differentiation or phenotype progression in a population of bone cells by providing a citrate-presenting composition to the population of bone cells. In some embodiments, the citrate-presenting composition is provided to the bone cells at a first stage of cell development selected to obtain a first cell differentiation or phenotype progression. Additionally, in some cases, a second citrate-presenting composition is further provided to the bone cells at a second stage of cell development selected to obtain a second cell differentiation or phenotype progression.

The present invention relates to a nanohelix-substrate complex for controlling adhesion and polarization of macrophages, a manufacturing method thereof, and a method of controlling adhesion and polarization of macrophages by using the nanohelix-substrate complex, and the method of controlling adhesion and polarization of macrophages may temporally and reversibly control adhesion and phenotypic polarization of macrophages in vivo and ex vivo by controlling application/non-application of a magnetic field to the nanohelix-substrate complex.

An oral biology model which comprises biofilm, oral epithelial tissue and a suspension of neutrophil-like cells in media is disclosed. The biofilm, which comprises oral bacteria, is produced by culturing oral bacteria on a solid substrate. The oral epithelial tissue may be gingival epithelial tissue to model the gingival crevice or buccal epithelial tissue to model the oral check. The suspension of neutrophil-like cells in media comprises neutrophil-like cells that are differentiated HL60 cells induced to a neutrophil-like phenotype by treatment with retinoic acid. Methods of using the oral biology model to test and compare compounds and formulations or to screen compounds and formulations for their effect on release of inflammatory signals, their effect on biofilm and oral bacteria and/or their effect on the cellular components are disclosed.

Disclosed is a cell culture substrate including a non-woven mat formed of biocompatible fibers produced by an electrospinning method. The biocompatible fibers have a fiber length of 2 mm to 80 mm and a fiber diameter of 10 to 80 m, and contain 20 to 50 vol % (about 45 to 75 wt %) inorganic filler particles and 50 to 80 vol % (about 25 to 55 wt %) biocompatible resin. The inorganic filler particles are partially exposed on the fiber surface to form an uneven structure. The non-woven mat can trap the seeded mesenchymal stem cells between the fibers and attach them to the fibers. A plurality of short fibers forming the non-woven mat are entangled with each other and adhered and connected at multiple points of contact, forming a three-dimensional structure in which a microenvironment in which cells can adhere and grow in the space between the biocompatible fibers and fibers.

There is provided a substrate assembly for culturing cells, wherein the substrate assembly comprises: a plurality of edible fibres, wherein each fibre has an internal channel running along its length; a first support at a first end of the plurality of edible fibres; a second support at a second end of the plurality of edible fibres; wherein at least one of the first support and second support allows fluid communication across the support into the internal channels. Also provided is a method of culturing cells.

There is disclosed a method of combining mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with a bone substrate. In an embodiment, the method includes obtaining tissue having MSCs together with unwanted cells. The tissue is digested to form a cell suspension having MSCs and unwanted cells. The cell suspension is added to the substrate. The substrate is cultured to allow the MSCs to adhere. The substrate is rinsed to remove unwanted cells. In various embodiments, the tissue is adipose tissue, muscle tissue, or bone marrow tissue. In an embodiment, there is disclosed an allograft product including a combination of MSCs with a bone substrate in which the combination is manufactured by culturing MSCs disposed on the substrate for a period of time to allow the MSCs to adhere to the substrate, and then rinsing the substrate to remove unwanted cells from the substrate. Other embodiments are also disclosed.