The present invention relates to porous freeze-dried fibrin matricessubstantially devoid of external anti-fibrinolytic agents, and methods ofproducing said matrices. Resilient matrices, also known as sponges, that areparticularly beneficial for supporting three dimensional cell growth areobtained from plasma proteins substantially devoid of plasminogen or frompartially purified plasma proteins, thus obviating the need for exogenous anti-fibrinolytic agents. Furthermore, incorporation of glycosaminoglycans andbioactive agents during the formation of the matrix results in a sponge havingadvantageous biological, mechanical and physical properties. The compositionsof the present invention are useful clinically, per se or as cell-bearingimplants.
