Tenocyte containing bioscaffolds and treatment using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for preparing bioscaffolds useful in the repair of tears. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of treating rotator cuff tear in a mammalian subject in need thereof comprising the steps of: (i) selectively expanding tenocytes in vitro in culture medium comprising insulin or a functional derivative and a glucocorticoid or a glucocorticoid-like molecule to produce a culture of expanded tenocytes; (ii) seeding a bioscaffold with said expanded tenocytes to produce a tenocyte seeded bioscaffold; and (iii) implanting said tenocyte seeded bioscaffold proximal to the rotator cuff tear. The present invention also relates to a bioscaffold comprising cells, wherein more than 80% of said cells are tenocytes.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A resorbable bioscaffold consisting of:
 a type I/III collagen matrix and human expanded tenocyte cells adhered to the surface of the matrix at a density of at least 1×10 6  tenocyte cells per cm 2 , wherein:   the human expanded tenocyte cells are obtained from isolated tenocyte cells that were selectively expanded in vitro in a culture medium comprising insulin and betamethasone; and   the human expanded tenocyte cells are at least 90% of the cells adhered to the surface of the matrix; and   at least 80% of said human expanded tenocyte cells express type I collagen, type III collagen, scleraxis, and EphA4.   
     
     
         2 . The resorbable bioscaffold of  claim 1 , wherein said tenocyte cells are autologous. 
     
     
         3 . The resorbable bioscaffold of  claim 1 , wherein said culture medium comprises about 0.0006% w/v insulin and about 0.0002% w/v betamethasone. 
     
     
         4 . A packaged resorbable bioscaffold for the repair of tendons comprising the resorbable bioscaffold of  claim 1  in a sterile, sealed container.