Methods and compositions are provided for the treatment and repair of defects in the cartilage or bone of humans and other animals as in full-thickness defects in joints. To induce cartilage formation, a defect in cartilage is filled with a matrix having pores sufficiently large to allow cartilage repair cells to populate the matrix. The matrix contains an anti-angiogenic agent that serves as a functional barrier to prevent vascularization and bone growth into the cartilage area. The matrix filling the defect in cartilage may also contain a proliferation agent and a chemotactic agent, and a transforming factor in an appropriate delivery system. A functional barrier between the bone and cartilage areas of a full-thickness defect may also be created by heat-treating the areas of bleeding to form a transient tissue barrier which prevents blood vessels and associated cells from penetrating from the bone area into the cartilage area. If desired, the bone portion of the full-thickness defect may be filled with a matrix having pores large enough to allow cells to populate the matrix and to form blood vessels. The matrix filling the bone defect may contain an angiogenic factor and an osteogenic factor in an appropriate delivery system. Methods and compositions are also provided for assisted bone and connective tissue regeneration for dental and other applications.
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