Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell therapy product which is intended for regenerating a sphincter muscle and which contains stem cells derived from amniotic fluid, and more particularly, to a cell therapy product which is intended for regenerating the sphincter vesicae and which contains stem cells derived from amniotic fluid. Also, the cell therapy product of the present invention can be provided in the form of a formulation for administration through injection, said formulation being injected into a hydrogel complex to thereby improve the effects thereof. The composition including stem cells derived from amniotic fluid according to the present invention enables stem cells to be differentiated into muscles in the body of individual suffering from urinary incontinence by directly injecting the composition into the individual, thus effectively controlling urinary incontinence by recovering muscle functions.

Abstract: Provided herein is a delivery system, including: (a) an optical sensor configured to detect data to create a map of a patient bodily surface; and (b) a dispenser operatively associated with the optical sensor and configured to deliver compositions (optionally including cells) to the patient bodily surface based upon the data or map. Methods of forming a tissue on a patient bodily surface of a patient in need thereof are also provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products useful for processing patient bodily surface data.

Abstract: The present provides a system and method of maintaining and/or increasing cell viability by downregulating cellular metabolic rate under hypoxic conditions. The present invention also relates to a system and method of prolonging the survival of implanted cells that are under hypoxic condition until host neovascularization is achieved.

Abstract: Provided are to a freezing medium composition for cryopreserving amniotic fluid-derived stem cells, which has A lower concentration of Me2SO and eliminates fetal bovine serum and at the same time does not induce cryoinjury to fluid-derived stem cells and makes it possible to cryopreserve fluid-derived stem cells for a prolonged time using trehalose, sucrose and catalase, and a method for cryopreserving the same. According to the present invention, AFSCs can be cryopreserved with 1/4 the standard Me2SO concentration with the addition of disaccharides, antioxidants and caspase inhibitors. As a result, the use of Me2SO at low concentrations in cell freezing solutions may support the development of clinical trials of AFSCs.

Abstract: A method of making an organ or tissue comprises: (a) providing a first dispenser containing a structural support polymer and a second dispenser containing a live cell-containing composition; (b) depositing a layer on said support from said first and second dispenser, said layer comprising a structural support polymer and said cell-containing composition; and then (c) iteratively repeating said depositing step a plurality of times to form a plurality of layers one on another, with separate and discrete regions in each of said layers comprising one or the other of said support polymer or said cell-containing composition, to thereby produce provide a composite three dimensional structure containing both structural support regions and cell-containing regions. Apparatus for carrying out the method and composite products produced by the method are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein is a delivery system, including: (a) an optical sensor configured to detect data useful to create a map of a bodily surface; and (b) a printer operatively associated with the optical sensor and configured to deliver compositions (optionally including cells) to the bodily surface based upon the data or map. Methods of forming a tissue on a bodily surface of a patient in need thereof are also provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products useful for processing bodily surface data.

Abstract: Provided herein is a tissue stretching device including a tissue clamping member defining an area in a Z plane, wherein the tissue clamping member is configured to hold tissue parallel to the Z plane. Methods of use of the tissue stretching device to stretch a tissue as well as for culturing organized tissues are also provided. Stretched and/or cultured tissues produced by these processes are also provided, as well as methods of treatment making use of the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are anisotropic muscle implants that have a biodegradable scaffold comprising a plurality of fibers oriented along a longitudinal axis. The implants may include mammalian muscle cells seeded and/or fused into myotubes on the scaffold. Methods of forming the muscle implants are provided, as are methods of treating a subject in need of skeletal muscle reconstruction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for reconstructing artificial female reproductive organs. The constructs and methods of the invention can be used for ameliorating congenital malformations and disorders of female reproductive tract using tissue engineered female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes. These tissue engineered female reproductive organs can be generated by perfusing cultured cell populations derived from cells of the female reproductive tissues, such as uterine, vaginal, cervical, fallopian tube epithelial cells as well as smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatuses for transfecting a cell with a compound of interest by stressing the cell, e.g. with shear stress. The compound of interest may be nucleic acids, proteins, molecules, nanoparticles, drugs, etc., or any combination thereof. Methods of printing cells with an inkjet printing device are also provided, wherein at least a portion of viable cells (preferably at least 1%) are transfected with a compound of interest. Preferably, at least 25% of the cells are viable after printing. In addition, methods of forming an array of viable cells are provided wherein at least a portion of the viable printed cells (preferably at least 1%) are transfected with at least one compound of interest.

Abstract: A method of treating hypoxic tissue such as wound tissue comprises contacting a composition to the hypoxic tissue in a hypoxia-treatment effective amount, the composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and an inorganic peroxide incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of kidney cells harvested from differentiated cells of the kidney, wherein cells have been expanded in vitro, and methods of use thereof. The cells may be provided in a three dimensional matrix for culturing in vitro and/or implanting in vivo. Methods of seeding cells onto the matrix are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of kidney cells harvested from differentiated cells of the kidney, wherein the cells have been expanded in vitro. The kidney cells preferably produce erythropoietin (EPO). The kidney cells may also be selected based upon EPO production. Methods of producing an isolated population of EPO producing cells are also provided, and methods of treating a kidney disease resulting in decreased EPO production in a patient in need thereof are provided, including administering the population to the patient, whereby the cells express EPO in vivo in an oxygen tension-dependent manner.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for printing cells which includes an electrospinning device and an inkjet printing device operatively associated therewith. Methods of making a biodegradable scaffold having cells seeded therein are also provided. Methods of forming microparticles containing one or more cells encapsulated by a substrate are also provided, as are methods of forming an array of said microparticles.

Abstract: A cartilaginous structural member (CSM) for use in penile reconstruction, for the correction of developmental defects, postoperative reconstruction, and for reconstructive preprosthetic surgery. The cartilaginous structural member (CSM) comprise of live cells seeded onto pre-formed shaped structure which may be biodegradable. The live cells may comprise chondrocyte and the cartilaginous structural member (CSM) for use in reconstructive surgery may be constructed of polyglycolic acid. The implant structure is applicable to use for the regeneration and reconstruction or augmentation of semirigid members of the body such as the penis, nose, ear and locations which naturally has cartilage. Further, the cartilaginous structural member (CSM) may be used in plastic surgery such as, for example, breast augmentation or pectoral augmentation.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of kidney cells harvested from differentiated cells of the kidney, wherein cells have been expanded in vitro. The kidney cells may include peritubular interstitial cells of the kidney, and preferably produce erythropoietin (EPO). The kidney cells may also be selected based upon EPO production. Methods of producing an isolated population of EPO producing cells are also provided, and methods of treating a kidney disease resulting in decreased EPO production in a patient in need thereof are provided, including administering the population to the patient, whereby the cells produce EPO in vivo.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for reconstructing artificial female reproductive organs. The constructs and methods of the invention can be used for ameliorating congenital malformations and disorders of female reproductive tract using tissue engineered female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes. These tissue engineered female reproductive organs can be generated by perfusing cultured cell populations derived from cells of the female reproductive tissues, such as uterine, vaginal, cervical, fallopian tube epithelial cells as well as smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for reconstructing artificial female reproductive organs. The constructs and methods of the invention can be used for ameliorating congenital malformations and disorders of female reproductive tract using tissue engineered female reproductive organs, such as the uterus, vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes. These tissue engineered female reproductive organs can be generated by perfusing cultured cell populations derived from cells of the female reproductive tissues, such as uterine, vaginal, cervical, fallopian tube epithelial cells as well as smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prosthetic kidney, to methods of making a prosthetic kidney and to methods of treating kidney disease with a prosthetic kidney. The prosthetic kidney comprises nephron analogs on the exterior surface and an enclosed porous membrane structure equipped with an effluent channel for collecting and draining urine from the device. The nephron analogs are prepared by implanting a device containing renal tubule analogs on the membrane structures and inducing angiogenesis to form glomeruli-like structures. The renal tubule analogs are prepared by seeding kidney cells on the porous membrane structure and culturing this composite in vitro.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a prosthetic kidney, to methods of making a prosthetic kidney and to methods of treating kidney disease with a prosthetic kidney. The prosthetic kidney comprises nephron analogs on the exterior surface and an enclosed porous membrane structure equipped with an effluent channel for collecting and draining urine from the device. The nephron analogs are prepared by implanting a device containing renal tubule analogs on the membrane structures and inducing angiogenesis to form glomeruli-like structures. The renal tubule analogs are prepared by seeding kidney cells on the porous membrane structure and culturing this composite in vitro.