Abstract: Disclosed are methods of favouring epithelial wound healing in a subject. Wounds suitable for this method include wounds located on the skin or in a cornea The methods comprise contacting a wound with an activator of an AKT pathway and/or an inhibitor of the MAPK pathway such as CREB inhibitors. Preferred compounds include SC-79, C646, curcumin, platelet-derived growth factor, 4?chloro-3-hydroxy-2-naphthanilide and fumonisin B. A model for wound healing is also disclosed. The model can be used to identify test compounds that are AKT activators or inhibitors of MAPK pathway, which are suitable to favoring epithelial wound healing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of favouring epithelial wound healing in a subject. Wounds suitable for this method include wounds located on the skin or in a cornea The methods comprise contacting a wound with an activator of an AKT pathway and/or an inhibitor of the MAPK pathway such as CREB inhibitors. Preferred compounds include SC-79, C646, curcumin, platelet-derived growth factor, 4?chloro-3-hydroxy-2-naphthanilide and fumonisin B. A model for wound healing is also disclosed. The model can be used to identify test compounds that are AKT activators or inhibitors of MAPK pathway, which are suitable to favoring epithelial wound healing.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for isolating four cell types from a single umbilical cord as pure cultures. These cell lines (epithelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells) can be characterized and utilized in experimental models and for therapeutic purposes. Particularly, the umbilical cells isolated herein are used to form a tissue replacement or engineered living composition. Also, the isolated umbilical cells of the invention may have the potential of progenitor cells.

Abstract: A method and a device (10) for reorganizing the fibers of a matrix in a living tissue sheet (S) by inducing controlled mechanical constraints in the living tissue (S) sheet thus causing the fibers of the matrix to be aligned parallel to the strain orientation. The sheet (S) is held in a stretched state until the fibers set in place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tissues and tissue sheets assembled from adipose-derived stromal cells. Particularly, it relates to reconstructed adipose tissues which comprise adipocytes as well as reconstructed conjunctive tissues which comprise adipose-derived stromal cells. The reconstructed tissues and sheets can be used, for example, in cosmetic applications for the replacement or addition of soft tissues, in pharmacological and toxicological applications for the in vitro testing of small molecules or cosmetic products as well as in therapeutic applications for the delivery of agents.

Abstract: A method for preparing a human or animal tissue by applying a compressive force to a stack of sheets of living tissue thereby inducing adjacent layers to fuse or adhere to each other. The force is applied in direction normal to the surface of the tissue. A multi-layer tissue produced by the method described above can also possess at least two different types of sheets and/or consist essentially of between two and twelve sheets of living tissue. The method can also be used to prepare a planar tissue that can further be incorporated in a multi-layer tissue construct. The methods and tissues described herein are useful for the preparation of engineered tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for isolating four cell types from a single umbilical cord as pure cultures. These cell lines (epithelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells) can be characterised and utilised in experimental models and for therapeutic purposes. Particularly, the umbilical cells isolated herein are used to form a tissue replacement or engineered living composition. Also, the isolated umbilical cells of the invention may have the potential of progenitor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to connective tissue substitute implant and method of preparation thereof. The implant is essentially composed of two bone anchors joined at the proximal ends by matrix layers and/or filaments coated by supplementary biocompatible matrix coating layer which can contain living stem cells isolated from injured connective tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assembling a single living tissue sheet formed of different cell populations. According to this invention at least two cell populations composing at least two living tissue sheets can be assembled into a single continuous tissue construct The cells of this construct can also be autologous or heterologous depending on the needs and the type of implant to be transferred in a recipient patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to connective tissue substitute implant and method of preparation thereof. The implant is essentially composed of two bone anchors joined at the proximal ends by matrix layers and/or filaments coated by supplementary biocompatible matrix coating layer which can contain living stem cells isolated from injured connective tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for isolating four cell types from a single umbilical cord as pure cultures. These cell lines (epithelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells) can be characterised and utilised in experimental models and for therapeutic purposes. Particularly, the umbilical cells isolated herein are used to form a tissue replacement or engineered living composition. Also, the isolated umbilical cells of the invention may have the potential of progenitor cells.

Abstract: A method for preparing a human or animal tissue by applying a compressive force to a stack of sheets of living tissue thereby inducing adjacent layers to fuse or adhere to each other. The force is applied in direction normal to the surface of the tissue. A multi-layer tissue produced by the method decribed above can also possess at least two different types of sheets and/or consist essentially of between two and twelve sheets of living tissue. The method can also be used to prepare a planar tissue that can further be incorporated in a multi-layer tissue construct. The methods and tissues described herein are useful for the preparation of engineered tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assembling a single living tissue sheet formed of different cell populations. According to this invention at least two cell populations composing at least two living tissue sheets can be assembled into a single continuous tissue construct. The cells of this construct can also be autologous or heterologous depending on the needs and the type of implant to be transferred in a recipient patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates two new methods of improving the functionality of human or animal tissues by physically or biochemically treating the tissue prior to submitting it to different tests or before grafting it to a recipientpatient. Such a treated tissue is therefore rendered having a greater capability to resist to mechanical stress or shows a higher contractility.

Abstract: A method and a device (10) for reorganizing the fibers of a matrix in a living tissue sheet (S) by inducing controlled mechanical constraints in the living tissue (S) sheet thus causing the fibers of the matrix to be aligned parallel to the strain orientation. The sheet (S) is held in a stretched state until the fibers set in place.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell growth inhibitor, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MLK), and a method of modulating, reducing or suppressing, the growth of target cells by administrating the MLK under form of protein or a nucleic acid sequence comprised in an expression vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tridimensional living tissue construct free of exogenous extracellular matrix material, and in which angiogenesis occurs. Network of capillaries formed into the living tissue construct allows to provide blood vessels for replacement or repair in human and animals, and is also useful in screening compounds or agents potentially having capability of modulating the angiogenesis in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to connective tissue substitute implant and method of preparation thereof. The implant is essentially composed of two bone anchors joined at the proximal ends by matrix layers and/or filaments coated by supplementary biocompatible matrix coating layer which can contain living stem cells isolated from injured connective tissue.

Abstract: The tissue-engineered heart valve of the present invention is comprised of elements, such as leaflets, formed from self-supporting human engineered tissue. Such self-supporting tissue is comprised of living biological cells and extracellular matrix without the presence of nonviable scaffolding structures. Thus, the tissue-engineered heart valve of the present invention consists of totally living human tissue which could theoretically function like a native biological structure with the potential to grow, to repair and to remodel.

Abstract: A contractile smooth muscle cell construct and a method for preparing the smooth muscle cell construct are described. The smooth muscle cell construct is comprised of (i) smooth muscle cells that have been cultured in vitro under conditions to allow the formation of a sheet of smooth muscle cells and (ii) an endogenous fibrous matrix formed by the smooth muscle cells, wherein the smooth muscle cell construct retains the ability to contract in response to vasoactive agonists. The smooth muscle cell construct may be prepared in planar or tubular form and can be used to study or evaluate the contractile responses of smooth muscle cells.