Compositions and methods for repair or regeneration of soft tissue

1. A biocompatible scaffold substantially free of mineralized bone comprising demineralized cancellous bone substantially devoid of all osteoinductive factors, the demineralized cancellous bone comprising at least a first region and a second region, wherein a concentration gradient of crosslinks is configured to extend between the first region to the second region such that the concentration of the crosslinks in the first region is substantially higher than the concentration of the crosslinks in the second.

2. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the first region has increased mechanical strength relative to the second region.

3. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the first region comprising stiffened demineralized bone has greater resistance to enzymatic degradation relative to the second region.

4. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible scaffold contains cells.

5. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 4 , wherein the cells include stem cells and/or cells from soft tissue.

6. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 5 , wherein the soft tissue is selected from liver, pancreas, skin, bladder, kidney, tendon, ligament, fascia, fibrous tissues, adipose tissue, intestinal tissue, synovial membranes, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, cartilage, meniscal tissue, periosteal tissue, pericardial tissue, synovial tissue, bone marrow, spleen tissue, intervertebral disc tissue, embryonic tissue, periodontal tissue, vascular tissue, blood and combinations thereof.

7. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 5 , wherein the stem cells are umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells or adult stem cells selected from hematopoietic stem cells, bone marrow stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and soft tissue-derived stem cells, or a combination thereof.

8. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , further comprising a hydrogel within the scaffold.

9. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , further comprising a polymer within the scaffold.

10. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , further comprising a biomolecule or agent capable of promoting cell growth or differentiation, tissue repair, promoting healing and/or regeneration of tissue, preventing infection, reducing inflammation, preventing or reducing adhesion formation, or suppressing immune response.

11. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold comprises surface chemistry comprising at least one of covalently attached biomolecules and adsorbed biomolecules.

12. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold comprises a surface that has texture, roughness, or three-dimensional unevenness produced by one or more of chemical etching, physical etching, and laser etching.

13. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of some or all regions is encapsulated by a biocompatible layer.

14. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 13 , wherein the biocompatible layer is semipermeable.

15. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 13 , wherein the biocompatible layer is bioresorbable.

16. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 13 , wherein the biocompatible layer is a collagen matrix.

17. The biocompatible scaffold of claim 13 , wherein the biocompatible layer is small intestine submucosa.

18. A method for repairing or regenerating tissue comprising implanting in the tissue in need of repair or regeneration, a biocompatible scaffold of claim 1 .

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the tissue comprises organ tissue, abdominal wall, pericardium, a hernia, bone, perichondrium, intervertebral disc, articular cartilage, dermis, epidermis, bowel, ligaments, tendons, vascular tissue, heart valve, venous valve, esophagus, trachea, intestine, fallopian tube, liver, pancreas, skin, bladder, kidney, fascia, fibrous tissues, adipose tissue, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, cartilage, meniscal tissue, periosteal tissue, pericardial tissue, synovial tissue, bone marrow, spleen tissue, embryonic tissue, or periodontal tissue.