This invention relates, e.g., to a Myocyte-based Flow Assist Device (MFAD) for treating a subject in need of increased flow of a biological fluid, such as venous blood or lymph, comprising a sheath which comprises rhythmically contracting myocytes.

[Problem] To provide a method for producing an artificial three-dimensional muscle tissue, said method enabling stable, efficient and easy production of a muscle tissue, and an artificial three-dimensional muscle tissue produced by this method. [Solution] A method for producing an artificial three-dimensional muscle tissue, said method comprising steps of (i) forming a three-dimensional muscle tissue precursor, which is configured from a first muscle tissue support, a second muscle tissue support and muscle cells, by linearly arranging the muscle cells on the first muscle tissue support in such a manner that the muscle cells are located close to the first muscle tissue support at one end of the line and close to the second muscle tissue support at the other end of the line, and (ii) culturing the three-dimensional muscle tissue precursor to give an artificial three-dimensional muscle tissue, and an artificial three-dimensional muscle tissue obtained by this method.

Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.

Mesenchymal stem cells are pluripotent cells capable of differentiating into myocardial and vascular endothelial cells. The present invention demonstrates that the mesenchymal stem cell sheet have therapeutic potential for a severely damaged heart due to its pluripotency and in situ self-renewal capability. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue were cultured to prepare a mesenchymal stem cell sheet. Four weeks after induction of myocardial infarction in rats, the mesenchymal stem cell sheet was transplanted to the heart. The mesenchymal stem cell sheet were readily engrafted to the surface of the scarred myocardium, grew gradually in situ, and formed a thick layer (approximately 600 μm) in 4 weeks. The grown transplanted mesenchymal tissue contained newly formed blood vessels, myocardial cells, and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. The engrafted mesenchymal stem cells inhibited thinning of the myocardial wall in the scar area, and improved cardiac function and survival rate in rats with myocardial infarcts. Thus, mesenchymal stem cell sheet transplantation may represent a novel therapeutic approach for myocardial tissue regeneration.

Cardiomyopathy may be treated by distributing space-occupying agent within the myocardium in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart, such that the space-modifying agent integrates into and thickens at least part of the cardiac wall about the chamber so as globally to reduce wall stress and stabilize or even reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function. Over time the relief of wall stress reduces oxygen consumption and promotes healing. Moreover, various long-term therapeutic effects may be realized depending on the properties of the space-occupying agent, including combinations with other therapeutic materials. Specific cardiac conditions treatable by these systems and methods include, for example, dilated cardiomyopathy (with or without overt aneurismal formations), congestive heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmias. Patterns of distribution of space-occupying agent within the myocardium for global resizing may also be used or augmented to treat localized conditions such as myocardial infarctions, overt aneurysm of the ventricular wall as typically forms in response to large transmural myocardial infarctions, and mitral regurgitation due to a noncompliant mitral valve. These techniques may also be used to treat localized conditions that may not yet have progressed to cardiomyopathy.

An improved device and method for extended repair and regeneration of muscle tissue. An exemplary device comprises (a) a scaffold comprising an ECM component; (b) a combination of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF; and (c) a population of myogenic cells. Implantation of the device leads to muscle regeneration and repair over an extended period of time.

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries characterized by critical loss of skeletal muscle tissues result in severe functional impairment. Current treatments involving use of muscle grafts are limited by tissue availability and donor site morbidity. The present application relates to methods and composition matters for skeletal muscle healing and regeneration for a patient with volumetric muscle loss using a glycosaminoglycan-based hydrogel, wherein said hydrogel for skeletal muscle regeneration comprises functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA), functionalized chondroitin sulfate (CS) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), wherein said HA and said CS are cross-linked by said PEGDA.

A biocompatible scaffold construct includes a plurality of collagen fiber strands, a first portion of which have been coated by a first biocompatible solution and, optionally, a second portion of which have been coated by a second biocompatible solution different than the first biocompatible solution. The coatings may include cells. And the scaffold is constructed on rotating frame collectors.

A scaffold-free microtissue is disclosed that includes one or more gold nanostructures linked to a functional moiety, wherein the functional moiety is one or more vasculogenic peptides, one or more anti-inflammatory peptides, one or more antiapoptotic peptides, one or more antinecrotic peptides, one or more antioxidant peptides, one or more oligonucleotides, one or more lipid particles, one or more phospholipid particles, one or more liposomes, one or more nanoliposomes, one or more microRNAs, or one or more siRNAs. The scaffold-free microtissue further includes a plurality of cardiac myocytes or cardiac myoblasts, which are conjugated to the one or more gold nanostructures, wherein the plurality of cardiac myocytes or cardiac myoblasts are arranged in a cluster. The scaffold-free microtissue further includes a plurality of fibroblasts, wherein the fibroblasts are arranged in at least one layer of fibroblasts that substantially surrounds the cluster of gold-nanostructure-conjugated cardiac myocytes or gold-nanostructure-conjugated cardiac myoblasts.

Provided herein are methods of culturing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells by cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells on a support in vitro for a time sufficient to produce said organized skeletal muscle tissue, including reseeding said organized skeletal muscle tissue by contacting additional precursor muscle cells to said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said solid support, and then repeating said step of cyclically stretching and relaxing said muscle cells in said support in vitro for time sufficient to enhance the density (i.e., increased number of nuclei and/or number of multinucleated cells) of said organized skeletal muscle tissue on said support.