| abstract |
The present invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for repairing cartilaginous tissue. Certain methods of the invention utilize dendritic macromolecules formed by treating a dendritic compound with light or a linking compound. In certain instances, the dendritic compounds have a lysine, cysteine, isocysteine residue or other nucleophilic group attached to their peripheries. Addition of a compound containing two or more electrophilic groups, such as aldehydes, activated esters, or acrylates, to the lysine-capped, cysteine-capped, or isocysteine-capped dendrimers produces a polymeric compound that can repair a cartilage defect. |