Cartilage composites and methods of use

A biological material comprising cartilage containing membrane phospholipids depleted in linoleic acid.

A biological material comprising cartilage containing membrane phospholipids depleted in arachidonic acid.

A biological material comprising cartilage containing a matrix subtantially free of biglycan.

A biological material comprising cartilage enriched in high molecular weight aggrecan.

A biological material as set forth in claim 19 wherein the cartilage is further characterized by having multiple layers of cells, said cells surrounded by a substantially continuous insoluble glycosaminoglycan and collagen-enriched hyaline extracellular matrix.

A composition comprising neocartilage and being essentially free of non-cartilage materials characterized by having multiple layers of cells, said cells surrounded by a substantially continuous insoluble glycosaminoglycan and collagen-enriched hyaline extracellular matrix.

A biological material comprising essentially purified cartilage-specific macromolecules.

A conditioned growth medium adapted for use in growing cartilage cell cultures comprising heparin-binding growth factors, at least one of which is a cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein.

A method for growing neocartilage comprising:

• isolating chondrocytes;
• adhering said chondrocytes to a surface using means effective to produce a cell culture;
• and growing said cell culture in a substantially serum-free growth media to produce neocartilage.

A set of implant materials comprising an implant containing a reparative amount of a biological material comprising cartilage containing membrane phospholipids enriched in Mead acid and means for implanting and adhering the neocartilage in a target tissue locus.