Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods of growing at least 100 million minimally-passaged fibroblasts from a small biopsy specimen. The invention includes methods wherein a small biopsy specimen is seeded directly into a large tissue culture flask, and passaged no more than three times.

Abstract: A method for corrective surgery in a human subject of a vocal cord defect amenable to rectification by the augmentation of tissue subadjacent to the vocal cord defect, the method comprising: placing an effective amount of autologous in vitro cultured cells into a vocal cord tissue of the subject in a position subadjacent to the vocal cord defect, wherein the vocal cord tissue is selected from the group consisting of a scar, Reinke's space, a muscle of the vocal cord, and the lamina propria, wherein the in vitro cultured cells are obtained by culturing a plurality of viable cells retrieved from the subject, and wherein the cultured cells are suspended in a collagen or modified collagen solution prior to injection of the cultured cells. The in vitro cultured cells can be fibroblasts, e.g., fibroblasts derived from dermis, fascia, connective tissue, or lamina propria.

Abstract: A composition for promoting regeneration of tissue which has degenerated in a subject as a result of a disease or disorder and a method of using the composition is provided. The composition comprises a biodegradable acellular matrix, and passaged autologous fibroblasts substantially free of immunogenic proteins, e.g., culture medium serum-derived proteins, integrated within the matrix. The method of using the composition to promote regeneration of tissue involves placing the composition on a site of degenerated tissue in a subject so that the composition promotes tissue regeneration at the site. The composition and the method of its use have applications promoting regeneration of tissue (i) that has degenerated as a result of numerous diseases or disorders or (ii) that has a defect, including, but not limited to, defects of the oral mucosa, trauma to the oral mucosa (e.g., extraction of a tooth), periodontal disease, diabetes, cutaneous ulcers, venous stasis, scars of the skin, or wrinkles of the skin.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing neurons from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells (UMC). Also featured by the invention is an isolated neuron produced by this method, compositions containing such neurons, and a method of repairing damaged or defective neural tissues using such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using autologous fibroblasts to promote wound or fistula healing in an animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for promoting regeneration of tissue which has degenerated in a subject as a result of a disease or disorder and a method of using the composition is provided. The composition comprises a biodegradable acellular matrix, and passaged autologous fibroblasts substantially free of immunogenic proteins, e.g., culture medium serum-derived proteins, integrated within the matrix. Also provided is an injectable composition comprising an acellular filler material (e.g., any type of collagen) and passaged autologous fibroblasts substantially free of immunogenic proteins, e.g., culture medium serum-derived proteins, for correcting defects in skin, such as wrinkles or scars, and for augmenting tissue in the subject, particularly facial tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for promoting regeneration of tissue which has degenerated in a subject as a result of a disease or disorder and a method of using the composition is provided. The composition comprises a biodegradable acellular matrix and passaged autologous fibroblasts substantially free of immunogenic proteins, e.g., culture medium serum-derived proteins, integrated within the matrix. Also provided is an injectable composition comprising an acellular filler material (e.g., any type of collagen) and passaged autologous fibroblasts substantially free of immunogenic proteins, e.g., culture medium serum-derived proteins, for correcting defects in skin, such as wrinkles or scars, and for augmenting tissue in the subject, particularly facial tissue.

Abstract: A composition for promoting regeneration of tissue which has degenerated in a subject as a result of a disease or disorder and a method of using the composition is provided. The composition comprises a biodegradable acellular matrix, and passaged autologous fibroblasts substantially free of immunogenic proteins, e.g., culture medium serum-derived proteins, integrated within the matrix. The method of using the composition to promote regeneration of tissue involves placing the composition on a site of degenerated tissue in a subject so that the composition promotes tissue regeneration at the site. The composition and the method of its use have applications promoting regeneration of tissue (i) that has degenerated as a result of numerous diseases or disorders or (ii) that has a defect, including, but not limited to, defects of the oral mucosa, trauma to the oral mucosa (e.g., extraction of a tooth), periodontal disease, diabetes, cutaneous ulcers, venous stasis, scars of the skin, or wrinkles of the skin.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for promoting regeneration of tissue which has degenerated in a subject as a result of a disease or disorder and a method of using the composition is provided. The composition comprises a biodegradable acellular matrix, and passaged autologous fibroblasts substantially free of immunogenic proteins, c.g., culture medium serum-derived proteins, integrated within the matrix. Also provided is an injectable composition comprising an acellular filler material (e.g., any type of collagen) and passaged autologous fibroblasts substantially free of immunogenic proteins, e.g., culture medium serum-derived proteins, for correcting defects in skin, such as wrinkles or scars, and for augmenting tissue in the subject, particularly facial tissue.

Abstract: The application concerns a method of repairing subcutaneous or dermal tissue in a subject. The method involves the preparation of cultured undifferentiated mesenchymal cells from a specimen obtained from the subject and the injection of the cell preparation to repair the subcutaneous or dermal tissue. The method is applicable to the repair of rhytids, stretch marks, depressed scars and non-traumatic cutaneous depressions as well as to the cosmetic augmentation of the lips.

Abstract: The application concerns a method of repairing sequelae of acne vulgaris in a subject which comprises the steps of: a) providing a fibroblast-seeded clot having dermal fibroblasts derived from the subject, said fibroblasts being substantially free of cells other than fibroblasts, and said clot being substantially free of proteins that are immunogenic in the subject; b) abrading a site of sequelae of acne vulgaris of a subject to the level of the middle or deep dermis; and c) applying the clot to the abraded site, so that the seeded fibroblasts are juxtaposed to dermis.

Abstract: The application concerns a device for repairing a dermal defect in a subject comprising: a) a hypodermic syringe having a syringe chamber, a piston disposed therein, and an orifice communicating with the chamber; b) a suspension comprising: 1) dermal fibroblasts derived from the subject, said fibroblasts being substantially free of cells other than fibroblasts and substantially free of proteins that are immunogenic in the subject, and 2) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier solution, said suspension being disposed in the chamber; and c) a hypodermic needle affixed to the orifice. The application further concerns a method of making the above-identified device, comprising the steps of: a) biopsying the dermis of the subject; b) passaging the dermal fibroblasts from the dermal biopsy in a culture medium comprising between 0.

Abstract: The application concerns a method of repairing subcutaneous or dermal tissue in a subject. The method involves the preparation of cultured dermal fibroblasts from a specimen obtained from the subject and the injection of the fibroblast preparation, substantially free of immunogenic proteins, to repair the subcutaneous or dermal tissue. The method is applicable to the repair of rhytids, stretch marks, depressed scars, and non-traumatic cutaneous depressions as well as to the cosmetic augmentation of the lips.