CARTILAGE OR BONE MATRIX AS A NUCLEIC ACID DELIVERY VEHICLE

The present invention relates to tissues, including but not limited to bone and cartilage implants, as carrier matrices for delivery of biologically active nucleic acids to sites where such tissues are to be implanted. Upon implantation, the nucleic acids associated with the implants are taken up by cells within the implant site and are expressed, to produce growth factors, regenerative factors and the like encoded by the nucleic acids. In this manner, for example, where the nucleic acid encodes bone morphogenetic protein or the like, the rate of bone induction, conduction of healing and the rate of cartilage formation or repair is enhanced, without the attendant need to manufacture, purify, isolate and deliver protein or peptide growth factors.