The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a bio-ink by additive deposition, which comprises supplying: a first solution including between 5 and 40 wt. % gelatin; a second solution including between 15 and 35.wt. % alginate; a third solution including between 1 and 15 wt. % fibrinogen, and optionally living cells in suspension; and creating a mixture including: around 35 to 65 vol. % of the first solution; around 15 to 35 vol. % of the second solution; and around 15 to 35 vol. % of the third solution, said proportions being selected so that they add up to 100%. Said bio-ink allows the additive deposition of objects that can be polymerised by means of a solution including calcium ions and thrombin. Said objects can be incubated and can be used as a substitute for body tissue, for example (with added fibroblasts) as skin substitute.

A method of treating a subject having a musculoskeletal disorder includes administering to a subject's articular site in need thereof an effective amount of a hyaluronic acid (HA) composition. In one embodiment, the HA composition includes an HA derivative, wherein carboxyl functionalities of the hyaluronic acid derivative are each independently derivatized to include an N-acylurea or O-acyl isourea, or both N-acylurea and O-acyl isourea. In another embodiment, the HA composition includes a crosslinked HA gel that is prepared by reacting an uncrosslinked HA with a biscarbodiimide in the presence of pH buffer in a range of between about 4 and about 8. The composite can optionally include at least one second bioactive agent other than the HA derivative, such as a steroid.

The present invention relates to a method for fabrication of an extracellular matrix-induced self-assembly and to fabrication of an artificial tissue using same. The method for fabrication of an extracellular matrix-induced self-assembly comprise the steps of: (a) decellularizing and powdering a tissue-derived extracellular matrix (ECM); and (b) adding the decellularized extracellular matrix powder to cells and culturing the cells to form a cell-extracellular matrix powder self-assembly. Accordingly, the self-assembly has characteristics similar to those of extracellular matrix tissues and can be fabricated into three-dimensional artificial tissues 1 cm or greater in size, thus finding advantageous applications as a cell therapy product and an artificial tissue implant.

The invention provides a method of producing a connective tissue graft suitable for correcting a connective tissue defect, comprising determining the size and shape of a tissue defect, obtaining a fat tissue from a patient modelled to fit the size and shape of the tissue defect, contacting the fat tissue with one or more connective tissue specific growth or differentiation factors; and kits for such a method.

The present application relates to a use for cartilage regeneration and/or use for osteoarthritis treatment of a mesenchymal stem cell expressing TSG-6 protein. The present application provides a composition for cartilage regeneration and a pharmaceutical composition for osteoarthritis treatment, comprising a mesenchymal stem cell expressing TSG-6 protein as an active ingredient. The composition for cartilage regeneration and/or the pharmaceutical composition for osteoarthritis treatment provided by the present application can increase collagen expression of cartilage cells, reduce inflammation, and restore the cartilage structure.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition, wherein the composition is a porous scaffold, wherein the pores of the scaffold are from 2 to 500 microns, the composition comprising: a) a cross-linkable protein selected from the group consisting of collagen and gelatin, b) a cross-linker which induces cross-linking of the cross-linkable protein; and c) a liquid.

A prosthetic implant comprising a biocompatible three-dimensional scaffold and at least two cell types selected from the group consisting of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and endothelial cells or progenitors thereof.

Compositions and methods are provided to accelerate and improve wound repair and reconstruction of connective tissue structures, including tendons, by assembly of collagen using liquid crystalline collagen. The compositions and methods can be used to treat various forms of connective tissue injury or to prevent or slow degeneration to vulnerable tendons that are generally refractory to repair.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition, wherein the composition is a porous scaffold, wherein the pores of the scaffold are from 2 to 500 microns, the composition comprising: a) a cross-linkable protein selected from the group consisting of collagen and gelatin; b) a cross-linker which induces cross-linking of the cross-linkable protein; and c) a liquid.

A prosthetic implant comprising a biocompatible three-dimensional scaffold and at least two cell types selected from the group consisting of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and endothelial cells or progenitors thereof.