Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of compositions and methods for the generation of a supporting matrix for cells, such as stem cells and NP cells (and precursors thereof). For example, an NP cell-specific phenotype precursor cell can be an adult NP cell, such as a cell taken from the adult and degenerated intervertebral disc and/or a progenitor cell, such as stem cells, induced pluripotent cells, pluripotent cells, precursor cells, or stromal cells.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for treatment and prevention of low back pain. The compositions include vectors comprising nucleotide sequences encoding one or more CRISPR-Cas system guide RNAs and a RNA-directed nuclease. The methods include modulating expression of a gene in a cell using said compositions, introducing a CRISPR-Cas system into a cell comprising one or more vectors comprising said compositions, inducing site-specific DNA cleavage in a cell, and treating a subject having lower back pain, and lower back pain caused by degenerative disc disease using the compositions disclosed herein.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for treatment and prevention of low back pain. The compositions include vectors comprising nucleotide sequences encoding one or more CRISPR-Cas system guide RNAs and a RNA-directed nuclease. The methods include modulating expression of a gene in a cell using said compositions, introducing a CRISPR-Cas system into a cell comprising one or more vectors comprising said compositions, inducing site-specific DNA cleavage in a cell, and treating a subject having lower back pain, and lower back pain caused by degenerative disc disease using the compositions disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for delivering a drug depot of a compound of interest to a selected region in a subject. The method comprises administering a composition directly to said region of interest, the composition comprising the compound of interest to be delivered (such as an antiinflammatory agent or a chemotherapeutic agent) and a polymer (such as an elastin-like peptide or ELP) that undergoes an inverse temperature phase transition, so that a sustained release of the compound of interest at the selected region is provided. Compositions useful for carrying out the invention are also described.

Abstract: A method for delivering a drug depot of a compound of interest to a selected region in a subject. The method comprises administering a composition directly to said region of interest, the composition comprising the compound of interest to be delivered (such as an antiinflammatory agent or a chemotherapeutic agent) and a polymer (such as an elastin-like peptide or ELP) that undergoes an inverse temperature phase transition, so that a sustained release of the compound of interest at the selected region is provided. Compositions useful for carrying out the invention are also described.

Abstract: A method for delivering a compound of interest to a selected region in a subject is carried out by administering a composition to the region of interest, the composition comprising a cross-linked bioelastomer in combination with the compound of interest non-covalently combined with the cross-linked bioelastomer. In some embodiments, the composition is produced by the process of cross-linking a bioelastomer to produce a cross-linked polymer thereof, and then combining said cross-linked polymer with said compound of interest. Methods of making the compositions, and kits useful for carrying out the method, are also described.

Abstract: Defects in a cartilaginous tissue are filled by: (a) mixing (i) a first reagent composition preferably comprising an amine-free hydroxyalkyl (preferably hydroxymethyl) phosphine crosslinking agent with (ii) a second reagent composition comprising a bioelastic polymer, the bioelastic polymer preferably comprising elastomeric units, the elastomeric units preferably selected from the group consisting of bioelastic pentapeptides, tetrapeptides, and nonapeptides; to produce a therapeutic composition; and then (b) administering the therapeutic composition to the cargilagenous tissue. Compositions and kits for carrying out the method are also described.

Abstract: A method for delivering a drug depot of a compound of interest to a selected region in a subject. The method comprises administering a composition directly to said region of interest, the composition comprising the compound of interest to be delivered (such as an antiinflammatory agent or a chemotherapeutic agent) and a polymer (such as an elastin-like peptide or ELP) that undergoes an inverse temperature phase transition, so that a sustained release of the compound of interest at the selected region is provided. Compositions useful for carrying out the invention are also described.