Devices and methods for treating defects in connective tissue are provided along with methods for making such devices. The devices can include enzyme-activated acellular tissue matrices that facilitate regrowth of the damaged tissue.

In accordance with the present invention, an implant in which cells are arranged in a fine pattern that is available for immediate implantation and that does not need to be removed after implantation is provided. The present invention relates to a cell-containing sheet, which comprises cells and a support comprising a bioabsorbable material, in which the support has a cell adhesion protein-containing layer on the surface thereof and the cells form a pattern on the support.

The present invention relates to a method for culturing limbal tissues on an amniotic membrane slide scaffold, thereby enabling the proportion of limbal stem cells in a limbal tissue-derived epithelial cell sheet to be effectively increased, and the same to be cultured. According to the present invention, the proportion of limbal stem cells in in a limbal tissue-derived epithelial cell sheet can be stably and rapidly increased, and thus the success rate can be increased when in limbal tissue-derived epithelial cell sheets are transplanted into a patient with limbal stem cell deficiency.

Devices and methods for treating defects in connective tissue are provided along with methods for making such devices. The devices can include enzyme-activated acellular tissue matrices that facilitate regrowth of the damaged tissue.

In this invention we propose a method to compose a stem cell culture niche platform, which is based on the use of the human amniotic membrane. Fluid dynamic, mechanical and topographic factors are additionally included in this niche to provide various factors essential for achieving an enhanced biomimetic microenvironment of the cultured stem cells. The amniotic membrane is mounted into various types of culture platforms to suit a wide range of research applications. The rich composition of the membrane with anti-inflammatory, anti microbial, matrix and adhesion molecules in addition to various growth factors suits its application as a complex biomimetic material. The platform includes micro channels to allow continuous exchange of media and creates a dynamic flow of the fluid surrounding the cells in an attempt to simulate the in vivo conditions in which the stem cell typically reaches its ideal proliferation, expansion or differentiation. The method disclosed herein supports a wide range of applications in stem cell research such as the investigation of the optimal conditions for stem cell culture and the effect of various medications and external factors. It can be also applied in investigating the effect of the amniotic membrane and the mechanical factors on the behavior of stem cells and cancer stem cells. Another model of the niche is proposed as an in vivo moldable and implantable carrier for delivering stem cell based therapies in a wide range of diseases especially those associated with aging or decline of specialized cell function such as diabetes, cardiovascular, neurological, hormonal, renal and liver disorders, cancer, and diseases associated with inflammation and disordered immunity. Furthermore, the lack of HLA molecules renders the membrane nave to minimize rejection, which could be valuable for transplantation purposes.

Compositions comprising unseparated amnion/chorion derived from the placenta and methods of preparing and using those compositions are provided. Washing or preservation of placental tissue according to the methods of the disclosure may allow for one or more benefits such as more efficient removal of blood remnants, retention of wound healing and tissue regeneration components, better handling characteristics, increased absorption potential, or improved healing capacity. The present invention also includes methods of healing a wound of the skin, eye, nerve, tendon, or dura comprising applying the compositions of the invention to the wound.

The present invention provides methods for culturing, expanding and differentiating stem cells, particularly human embryonic stem cells. The methods comprise culturing the stem cells for a period of time on a collagen biofabric, particularly a collagen biofabric derived from the amniotic membrane, chorion, or both, from mammalian placenta.

An in vitro microfluidic gut-on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic culture is described, allowing for interactions between lamina propria-derived cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells and endothelial cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal tissue, e.g., Crohn's disease, colitis and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular, layered microfluidic gut-on-chip further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal deuodejeum, small intestinal ileium, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas. Additionally, these microfluidic gut-on-chips allow identification of cells and cellular derived factors driving disease states and drug testing for reducing inflammation.

An in vitro microfluidic gut-on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic culture is described, allowing for interactions between lamina propria-derived cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells and endothelial cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal tissue, e.g., Crohn's disease, colitis and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular, layered microfluidic gut-on-chip further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal deuodejeum, small intestinal ileium, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas. Additionally, these microfluidic gut-on-chips allow identification of cells and cellular derived factors driving disease states and drug testing for reducing inflammation.

Epidermis equivalents capable of pigmentation include cells derived from the differentiation of matrix cells; reconstructed skins comprised thereof, optionally containing hair follicles, are useful for evaluating the effect of topical cosmetic, pharmaceutical or dermatological products and may also be used for the preparation of grafts suited to be transplanted on mammals, more particularly on human patients such as victims of third-degree burns.