Compositions for Regenerating Defective or Absent Myocardium
Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.
1 . An injectable composition for inducing cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes comprising a mammalian extracellular matrix component and a supplemental bioactive component, said bioactive component comprising a cytokine protein, said bioactive component comprising at least 0.1% by weight of said composition.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said extracellular matrix component comprises small intestine submucosa.
3 . A method of inducing cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes, comprising concomitant delivery of a mammalian extracellular matrix and a supplemental bioactive agent directly to cardiovascular tissue, said supplemental bioactive agent comprising a cytokine protein.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said mammalian extracellular matrix and supplemental bioactive agent comprise a tissue remodeling composition, and wherein said supplemental bioactive agent comprises at least 0.1% by weight of said composition.