The General Hospital Corporation

M Mehrdad Tondravi

Paul F Goetinck

Francois Binette

Link protein and cartilage matrix protein, which are two major components of the extracellular cartilage matrix, have been found to bind to each other. Polypeptide fragments of cartilage matrix protein and link protein are produced. A recombinant fusion polypeptide is prepared containing a fragment of cartilage matrix protein that binds to link protein and a fragment of link protein that binds to cartilage matrix protein. The cartilage matrix protein fragment may bind to collagen and contain the CMP-1 or CMP-2 domain, and the link protein may bind to a complex of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycan. The fragments or fusion polypeptide can be administered for repair of diseased or injured cartilaginous and non-cartilaginous tissue by promoting binding of a complex of proteoglycan and hyaluronic acid to collagen. The fragments or fusion polypeptide can be anchored to the surface of a prosthetic device, implant or tissue graft to promote adherence of tissue and biocompatibility. By anchoring a fragment of cartilage matrix protein or link protein on a surface, cartilaginous tissue, cartilage matrix protein or link protein may be attached to the surface.

Fusion polypeptide containing fragments of cartilage matrix protein and

Link protein and cartilage matrix protein, which are two major components of the extracellular cartilage matrix, have been found to bind to each other. Cartilaginous tissue is attached to a surface by anchoring on the surface a fragment of cartilage matrix protein capable of binding to link protein or to collagen and link protein, or a fragment of link protein capable of binding to cartilage matrix protein or to cartilage matrix protein and a complex or proteoglycan and hyaluronic acid, and contacting the surface with cartilaginous tissue. Cartilage matrix protein is attached to a surface by anchoring on the surface a fragment of link protein capable of binding to cartilage matrix protein, and contacting the surface with cartilage matrix protein. Link protein is attached to a surface by anchoring on the surface a fragment of cartilage matrix protein capable of binding to link protein, and contacting the surface with link protein. Human cartilage matrix protein, link protein and fragments thereof are used, and the fragments may be recombinantly made. A recombinant fusion polypeptide is prepared that contains the fragments of cartilage matrix protein and link protein. The fragments or fusion polypeptide can be administered for repair of diseased or injured cartilaginous and non-cartilaginous tissue by promoting the binding of a complex of proteoglycan and hyaluronic acid to collagen. The fragments or fusion polypeptide can also be anchored to the surface of a prosthetic device, implant or tissue graft to promote adherence of tissue and biocompatibility.

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Marshfield, MA, United States of America

M Mehrdad Tondravi