Compositions for regenerating tissue that has deteriorated, and methods for using such compositions

A method of repairing bone tissue in a subject with a bone defect, wherein said method comprises:

• a) providing a composition,
• wherein the composition comprises (i) a biodegradable acellular matrix and (ii) autologous fibroblasts,
• wherein the composition is substantially free of proteins derived from xenogeneic serum of xenogeneic serum-containing culture medium,
• wherein said biodegradable acellular matrix, prior to combination with said autologous fibroblasts, comprises one or more substances selected from the group consisting of collagen, glycosaminoglycans, gelatin, polyglycolic acid, cat gut, demineralized bone, hydroxyapatite, and anorganic bone, and
• wherein and said autologous fibroblasts are added to the matrix at high density and then cultured for up to 4 days, such that sufficient autologous fibroblasts integrate within said biodegradable acellular matrix to substantially fill the space on and within said biodegradable acellular matrix available for cells;
• b) identifying a site of a bone defect in said subject;
• and
• c) placing the composition on the site so that said bone defect is repaired.