Abstract: A novel laminin polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO:3 is disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions-of-matter comprising a polysaccharide (e.g., hyaluronic acid) and the novel laminin polypeptide; or hyaluronic acid, a laminin polypeptide and an antioxidant (e.g., superoxide dismutase), as well as matrices and hydrogels comprising same which can be used for ex vivo or in vivo tissue formation and for treatment of pathologies characterized by diseased, damaged or loss of tissue.

Abstract: A chitosan composition which forms a hydrogel at near physiological pH and 37° C., comprising at least one type of chitosan having a degree of acetylation in the range of from about 30% to about 60%, and at least one type of chitosan having a degree of deacetylation of at least about 70% is disclosed. Further disclosed is a chitosan composition which forms a hydrogel at near physiological pH and 37° C., comprising at least one type of chitosan having a degree of deacetylation of at least about 70% and a molecular weight of from 10-4000 kDa, and at least one type of a chitosan having a molecular weight of from 200-20000 Da. Further disclosed are methods of preparation and uses of the chitosan compositions.

Abstract: A chitosan composition which forms a hydrogel at near physiological pH and 37° C., comprising at least one type of chitosan having a degree of acetylation in the range of from about 30% to about 60%, and at least one type of chitosan having a degree of deacetylation of at least about 70% is disclosed. Further disclosed is a chitosan composition which forms a hydrogel at near physiological pH and 37° C., comprising at least one type of chitosan having a degree of deacetylation of at least about 70% and a molecular weight of from 10-4000 kDa, and at least one type of a chitosan having a molecular weight of from 200-20000 Da. Further disclosed are methods of preparation and uses of the chitosan compositions.

Abstract: Provided are method of generating a fiber from a globular protein such as albumin. Also provided are albumin fibers and fabrics and methods of using same for bonding a damaged tissue or for ex vivo or in vivo formation of a tissue.

Abstract: A novel laminin polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NO:3 is disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions-of-matter comprising a polysaccharide (e.g., hyaluronic acid) and the novel laminin polypeptide; or hyaluronic acid, a laminin polypeptide and an antioxidant (e.g., superoxide dismutase), as well as matrices and hydrogels comprising same which can be used for ex vivo or in vivo tissue formation and for treatment of pathologies characterized by diseased, damaged or loss of tissue.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease or condition in which up-regulating GAGs is therapeutically beneficial is disclosed. The method comprises locally administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of down-regulating activity or expression of a component of the renin-angiotensin system.

Abstract: A chitosan composition which forms a hydrogel at near physiological pH and 37° C., comprising at least one type of chitosan having a degree of acetylation in the range of from about 30% to about 60%, and at least one type of chitosan having a degree of deacetylation of at least about 70% is disclosed. Further disclosed is a chitosan composition which forms a hydrogel at near physiological pH and 37° C., comprising at least one type of chitosan having a degree of deacetylation of at least about 70% and a molecular weight of from 10-4000 kDa, and at least one type of a chitosan having a molecular weight of from 200-20000 Da. Further disclosed are methods of preparation and uses of the chitosan compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising stem cells and partially committed progenitor cells and to methods of controlling cell proliferation and differentiation, which can be used for expansion of stem cells and their subsequent differentiation. The present invention provides expanded population of essentially undifferentiated stem cells, which are useful in clinical procedures involving stem cell therapy, and a population derived thereof of which at least part of the cells are differentiated. The cells can be used per se, as a part of a cell-bearing composition comprising cross-linked hyaluronic acid-laminin gels or as a part of a composite implant for tissue regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention concerns cohesive biopolymer gels comprising coprecipitates of sulfated polysaccharides and fibrillar proteins, exemplified by coprecipitates of dextran sulfate and gelatin, useful for clinical applications including as implants for tissue engineering as well as in biotechnology. The cohesive biopolymer gels according to the present invention may be used clinically either per se or as a scaffold for a cell-bearing implant, as a depot for sustained release of bioactive agents, or for research and biotechnology.

Abstract: The present invention concerns universal biocompatible matrices comprising cross-linked hyaluronic acid-laminin gels useful for clinical applications including as implants, for tissue engineering as well as in biotechnology. The gel matrices according to the present invention may be used clinically either per se or as a cell bearing implant, e.g., stem cells or endothelial cells, optionally containing bioactive molecules or drugs. The gels are particularly useful for use for transplantation or as a coating or a scaffold for use on medical devices including stents.

Abstract: The present invention concerns universal biocompatible matrices comprising cross-linked hyaluronic acid-laminin gels useful for clinical applications including as implants, for tissue engineering as well as in biotechnology. The gel matrices according to the present invention may be used clinically either per se or as a cell bearing implant, e.g. stem cells or endothelial cells, containing bioactive molecules or drugs. The gels are particularly useful for use for transplantation or as a coating or a scaffold for use on medical devices including stents.

Abstract: A scaffold for use as a growth supportive base for cells and tissue explants is formed of naturally occurring derived connective or skeletal tissue that has been treated for elimination of cellular and cytosolic components comprising DNA, RNA, peptides, lipids and proteoglycans. The treated tissue can be crosslinked and treated for producing a higher porosity such as by mechanical or chemical treatment. Alternatively, the treated tissue is ground to form flakes having a size below 1000&mgr;, and the flakes are attached to each other to provide a scaffold having a porosity of at least 85%. The scaffold may be composed of several single-flake layers arranged on top of the other. The scaffold can be impregnated with cells to form tissue such as epiphysial tissue, and may contain adhesive molecules or growth factors. A prosthesis for implanting can be formed using the scaffold. The scaffold may be composed of fused epiphyses.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) as a novel marker for mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells. By utilizing this novel marker it was possible both to identify and locate mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells in a tissue, as well as to obtain a substantially pure culture of such cells. The pure culture of the mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells may be used, optionally after various manipulations ex vivo, as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical compositions or implants for the purpose of bone and/or cartilage repair. FGFR3 may also be used as a marker for the identification and the localization of cartilage- and bone-derived tumors. Agents capable of binding to FGFR3 may also be used for targeting cytotoxic agents to cartilage- and bone-derived tumors.

Abstract: A growth support scaffold for cells and tissue is formed of naturally derived connective or skeletal tissue which has been treated for elimination of cellular and cytosolic elements, and modified by cross-linking with hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulfates, heparan sulfates, heparins or dextran sulfates. The scaffold may contain cell adhesive molecules and growth factors, and can be formulated as a malleable prosthesis. A tissue maintenance system is provided containing a chamber having a constant atmosphere which may contain the scaffold impregnated with cells, a medium-containing reservoir, a pump which can be computer controlled for circulating the medium between the chamber and reservoir and may change direction of medium flow every 1 to 3 minutes, and a pressure generator, which can be the pump, for producing rhythmic pulses of pressure such as between 0.5 to 30 atm and frequency of 5-300 per minute.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) as a novel marker for mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells. By utilizing this novel marker it was possible both to identify and locate mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells in a tissue, as well as to obtain a substantially pure culture of such cells. The pure culture of the mesenchymal skeletal progenitor cells may be used, optionally after various manipulations ex vivo, as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical compositions or implants for the purpose of bone and/or cartilage repair. FGFR3 may also be used as a marker for the identification and the localization of cartilage- and bone-derived tumors. Agents capable of binding to FGFR3 may also be used for targeting cytotoxic agents to cartilage- and bone-derived tumors.

Abstract: The invention concerns a scaffold which is used as a growth supportive base for various cells and tissue explants from three-dimensional tissue comprising naturally derived connective or skeletal tissue into attached flakes having a very high porosity. Alternatively the scaffold is composed of fused epiphyses.

Abstract: There are provided compositions for repairing defects of cartilage and bones. These are provided in gel form either as such, or embedded in natural or artificial bones. The gel comprises certain types of cells. These may be committed embryonal chondocytes or any kind of mesenchyme originated cells which potentially can be converted to cartilage cells, generally by the influence of chondrogenic inducing factors, in combination with fibrinogen, antiprotease and thrombin. The cells ought to be of the species to which the composition is transplanted. It is advantageous to incorporate in the gel extracellular matrix (ECM) of chondrocytes or other hormones and/or growth factors such as SM (Somatomedin=IGF-I), FGF (fibroblast growth factor), CGF (cartilage growth factor), BDGF (bone derived growth factor) or a combination of any of these.