Supports and methods for promoting integration of cartilage tissue explants

Abstract

The present disclosure provides tissue supports and methods for preparing a cartilage composition for repairing cartilage defects, which is prepared by expanding and integrating small cartilage tissue pieces derived from donor or engineered tissue. The methods and supports described herein promote cell migration and integration of neighboring tissue pieces in culture to form the cartilage composition. Methods of cartilage repair using the cartilage composition are also described.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of making expanded cartilage tissue, the method comprising:
 a) placing a plurality of cartilage tissue pieces on a solid support at an inter-piece distance of 1 mm or less, wherein each cartilage tissue piece has an initial volume of less than 1 mm 3 ; and   b) culturing the plurality of cartilage tissue pieces on the solid support for a time and under conditions sufficient for each cartilage tissue piece to attain an expanded volume of at least 1 mm 3 .   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the average volume of expanded cartilage tissue pieces is at least 1.5 mm 3 . 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the average volume of expanded cartilage tissue pieces is at least 2.0 mm 3 . 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein each expanded tissue piece contacts at least one other expanded tissue piece. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cartilage tissue pieces comprise donor cartilage tissue. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the donor cartilage tissue is allogeneic to a mammalian recipient of the plurality of expanded cartilage tissue pieces. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cartilage tissue pieces comprise engineered cartilage tissue. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the cartilage tissue pieces comprise human juvenile cartilage tissue. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the culturing comprises culturing in a culture medium. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the culture medium is serum-free. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the culture medium comprises at least one additive. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one additive comprises cells. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the cells are at least one of chondrocytes, progenitor cells, or stem cells. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one additive comprises at least one bioactive agent. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one bioactive agent is at least one of a hormone, a growth factor or a cytokine. 
     
     
         36 . A method of making expanded cartilage tissue, the method comprising culturing a plurality of cartilage tissue pieces on a solid support, wherein each cartilage tissue piece has an initial volume of less than 1 mm 3 , for a time and under conditions sufficient for each tissue piece to attain an expanded volume of at least 1 mm 3 . 
     
     
         37 . The expanded cartilage tissue made by the method of  claim 21 .