Engineered tissue constructs

Abstract

A modular engineered tissue construct includes a plurality of fused self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates. At least one cell aggregate includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles and/or microparticles that are incorporated within the cell aggregates. The nanoparticles and/or microparticles acting as a bulking agent within the cell aggregate to increase the cell aggregate size and/or thickness and improve the mechanical properties of the cell aggregate as well as to deliver bioactive agents.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A modular engineered tissue construct, comprising:
 a plurality of fused self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates, at least one cell aggregate including a plurality of cells and a plurality of biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles and/or microparticles that are incorporated within the cell aggregates, the nanoparticles and/or microparticles acting as a bulking agent within the cell aggregate to increase the cell aggregate size and/or thickness and improve the mechanical properties of the cell aggregate as well as to deliver bioactive agents.   
     
     
         12 . The modular engineered tissue construct of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the fused ring-shaped self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates comprises a plurality of chondrogenic cells that have been differentiated to form engineered cartilage. 
     
     
         13 . The modular engineered tissue construct of  claim 11 , comprising alternating first engineered ring-shaped self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates and second engineered ring-shaped self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates fused to form a heterogenous modular tissue tube. 
     
     
         14 . The modular engineered tissue construct of  claim 13 , wherein the first engineered ring-shaped self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates define cartilaginous portions within the tube and the second engineered ring-shaped self-assembled, scaffold-free, high-density cell aggregates define noncartilaginous portions within the tube. 
     
     
         15 . The modular engineered tissue construct of  claim 11 , the nanoparticles and/or microparticles comprising a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         16 - 25 . (canceled)