108 results about "Insulin producing cell" patented technology

A pancreatic controller (102), comprising: a glucose sensor (118), for sensing a level of glucose or insulin in a body serum; at least one electrode (110, 112), for electrifying an insulin producing cell or group of cells; a power source (104) for electrifying said electrode with a pulse that does not initiate an action potential in said cell and has an effect of increasing insulin secretion; and a controller (106) which receives the sensed level and controls said power source to electrify said electrode to have a desired effect on said level.

The present invention relates to a skin equivalent and a method for producing the same, wherein the skin equivalent comprises a scaffold and stem / progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord. These stem / progenitor cells may be mesenchymal (UCMC) and / or epithelial (UCEC) stem cells, which may then be further differentiated to fibroblast and keratinocytes. Further described is a method for isolating stem / progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem / progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The invention also refers to therapeutic uses of these skin equivalents. Another aspect of the invention relates to the generation of a mucin-producing cell using stem / progenitor cells obtained from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses of such mucin-producing cells. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for generating an insulin-producing cell using stem / progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses thereof. The invention further refers to a method of treating a bone or cartilage disorder using UCMC. Furthermore, the invention refers to a method of generating a dopamin and tyrosin hydroxylase as well as a HLA-G and hepatocytes using UCMC and / or UCEC. The present invention also refers to a method of inducing proliferation of aged keratinocytes using UCMC.

Methods and compositions for preserving the function of insulin-producing cells and to furthering the lifespan of insulin-producing cells in non-insulin dependent patients with insulin-related disorders are provided.

A method of generating cells capable of secreting insulin is disclosed. The method comprises subjecting mammalian embryonic stem cells to set of culturing conditions suitable for differentiation of at least a portion thereof into cells displaying at least one characteristic associated with a pancreatic islet cell progenitor phenotype, and subjecting such differentiated cells to a set of culturing conditions suitable for formation of surface bound cell clusters including insulin producing cells.

The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stems cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin producing cells or into insulin producing cell aggregates.

The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to increase the expression of NGN3 and NKX6.1 in populations of cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage.

A pancreatic controller, comprising: a glucose sensor, for sensing a level of glucose or insulin in a body serum; at least one electrode, for electrifying an insulin producing cell or group of cells; a power source for electrifying said electrode with a pulse that does not initiate an action potential in said cell and has an effect of increasing insulin secretion; and a controller which receives the sensed level and controls said power source to electrify said electrode to have a desired effect on said level.

The present invention features mouse models for Nkx-2.2 gene function and for Nkx-6.1 gene function, wherein the transgenic mouse is characterized by having a defect in Nkx-2.2 gene function or a defect in Nkx-6.1 gene function (where, because Nkx-2.2 acts upstream of Nkx-6.1, a defect in Nkx-2.2 gene function affects Nkx-6.1 gene function) and by having a decreased number of insulin-producing cells relative to a normal mouse. Where the transgenic mouse contains a defect in Nkx-2.2 gene function, the mouse is further characterized by a decreased number of serotonin-producing cells relative to a normal mouse. The transgenic mice may be either homozygous or heterozygous for the Nkx-2.2 or Nkx-6.1 defect.

The present invention relates to a population of insulin producing cells made by a process comprising contacting non-insulin producing cells with a growth factor selected from the group consisting of GLP-1 or Exendin-4, growth factors having amino acid sequences substantially homologous to GLP-1 or Exendin-4, and fragmets thereof. The present invention also relates to methods of differentiating non-insulin producing cells into insulin producing cells and of enriching a population of cells for insulin-producing cells. The present invention also relates to methods of treating diabetes.

The present invention relates to a population of insulin producing cells made by a process comprising contacting non-insulin producing cells with a growth factor selected from the group consisting of GLP-1 or Exendin-4, growth factors having amino acid sequences substantially homologous to GLP-1 or Exendin-4, and fragments thereof. The present invention also relates to methods of differentiating non-insulin producing cells into insulin producing cells and of enriching a population of cells for insulin-producing cells. The present invention also relates to methods of treating diabetes.

A method of converting differentiated non-hormone producing pancreatic cells into differentiated hormone producing cells is disclosed. The method comprises two steps: first, culturing cells under conditions which convert differentiated non-hormone producing cells into stem cells; and second, culturing stem cells under conditions which provide for differentiating stem cells into hormone-producing cells. The invention defines growth and differentiation factors that are presented to the stem cells to result in their differentiation into hormone-producing cells, especially insulin-producing cells. The invention provides a new source of large quantities of hormone producing cells such as insulin-producing cells that are riot currently available for therapeutic uses such as the treatment of diabetes.

An encapsulation system for use in the treatment of diabetes (Types 1 or 2, and LADA) are provided. The system has (1) a delivery vehicle comprising a selectively permeable membrane that allows passage of glucose, insulin and other nutrients through the membrane, but prevents large molecules such as antibodies or inflammatory cells from passing through the membrane; (2) a population of islet cells or insulin producing cells encapsulated by said membrane; and (3) a biological response modifier that may be in contact with the membrane or encapsulated by the membrane. Generally, the biological response modifier is a compound, including resolved enantiomers, diastereomers, tautomers, salts and solvates thereof, having the following formula:wherein:X, Y and Z are independently selected from a member of the group consisting of C(R3), N, N(R3) and S;R1 is selected from a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, C(5-9)alkyl, C(5-9)alkenyl, C(5-9)alkynyl, C(5-9)hydroxyalkyl, C(3-8)alkoxyl, C(5-9)alkoxyalkyl, the R1 being optionally substituted;R2 and R3 are independently selected from a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, oxo, C(1-20)alkyl, C(1-20)hydroxyalkyl, C(1-20)thioalkyl, C(1-20)alkylamino, C(1-20)alkylaminoalkyl, C(1-20)aminoalkyl, C(1-20)aminoalkoxyalkenyl, C(1-20)aminoalkoxyalkynyl, C(1-20)diaminoalkyl, C(1-20)triaminoalkyl, C(1-20)tetraaminoalkyl, C(5-15)aminotrialkoxyamino, C(1-20)alkylamido, C(1-20)alkylamidoalkyl, C(1-20)amidoalkyl, C(1-20)acetamidoalkyl, C(1-20)alkenyl, C(1-20)alkynyl, C(3-8)alkoxyl, C(1-11)alkoxyalkyl, and C(1-20)dialkoxyalkyl.

This invention provides a method of inhibiting viable cells transplanted into a subject from being destroyed by the subject's immune system which comprises: a) containing the viable cells, or tissue comprising the viable cells, prior to transplantation within a device comprising a semipermeable membrane; and b) treating the subject with a substance which inhibits an immune-system costimulation event in an amount effective to inhibit the subject's immune system from responding to said contained cells or tissue. In one embodiment, the substance which inhibits an immune-system costimulation event is CTLA4. Also provided by this invention is a method of treating diabetes in a subject which comprises: a) containing viable insulin-producing cells, or tissue comprising such cells, within a device comprising a semipermeable membrane; b) transplanting an effective amount of such contained viable insulin-producing cells into the subject; and c) treating the subject with an effective amount of a substance which inhibits an immune-system costimulation event.

The invention features methods for increasing or maintaining the number of functional cells of a predetermined type in a mammal (e.g., a human patient), for example, the insulin producing cells of the pancreas, liver cells, spleen cells, or bone cells, that has injured or damaged cells of the predetermined type or is deficient in cells of the predetermined type.

The present invention provides a method of inducing the formation of insulin-producing cells which comprises transferring a pancreatic β-cell associated transcriptional factor gene into the pancreas to induce the formation of insulin-producing cells. The pancreatic β-cell associated transcriptional factor gene is transferred into the pancreatic tissue stem cells by the ICBD injection without ligating the common bile ducts and thus the formation of insulin-producing cells is induced. In the present invention, pdx-1, neurogenin3, etc. are used as such pancreatic β-cell associated transcriptional factor gene and an adenoviral vector with the use of the Cre-loxP recombination system, etc. is used as a vector for transferring the pancreatic β-cell associated transcriptional factor gene into the pancreas. The method of the invention enables regeneration therapy for diabetes mellitus by inducing the formation of insulin-producing cells.

The invention features methods for increasing or maintaining the number of functional cells of a predetermined type, for example, insulin producing cells of the pancreas, blood cells, spleen cells, brain cells, heart cells, vascular tissue cells, cells of the bile duct, or skin cells, in a mammal (e.g., a human patient) that has injured or damaged cells of the predetermined type.

The present invention relates to a skin equivalent and a method for producing the same, wherein the skin equivalent comprises a scaffold and stem / progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord. These stem / progenitor cells may be mesenchymal (UCMC) and / or epithelial (UCEC) stem cells, which may then be further differentiated to fibroblast and keratinocytes. Further described is a method for isolating stem / progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem / progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The invention also refers to therapeutic uses of these skin equivalents. Another aspect of the invention relates to the generation of a mucin-producing cell using stem / progenitor cells obtained from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses of such mucin-producing cells. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for generating an insulin-producing cell using stem / progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses thereof. The invention further refers to a method of treating a bone or cartilage disorder using UCMC. Furthermore, the invention refers to a method of generating a dopamin and tyrosin hydroxylase as well as a HLA-G and hepatocytes using UCMC and / or UCEC. The present invention also refers to a method of inducing proliferation of aged keratinocytes using UCMC.

A population of enteroendocrine cells (EEC) is obtained from a mammalian post-natal cell population, such as a population including post-natal stem cells, by treating the population with a plurality of small molecules that upregulate ChgA and promote differentiation of the cells to form the enteroendocrine cells. The upregulation of ChgA is such that the fraction of cells expressing CGA in the obtained cell population, as measured by a ChgA Immunostaining Assay, is at least about 1.5%. Small molecules that can be used to differentiate the post-natal cells into the enteroendocrine cells can include at least one of a Wnt activator, a Notch inhibitor, a Wnt inhibitor, a MEK / ERK inhibitor, a growth factor, a HDAC inhibitor, a Histone Methylation Inhibitor, a Tgf-β inhibitor, and a NeuroD1 activator. Also, the insulin expression of a population of mammalian cells is increased by treating the population with a plurality of small molecules that increase the insulin expression.

The invention features methods for increasing or maintaining the number of functional cells of a predetermined type, for example, insulin producing cells of the pancreas, blood cells, spleen cells, brain cells, heart cells, vascular tissue cells, cells of the bile duct, or skin cells, in a mammal (e.g., a human patient) that has injured or damaged cells of the predetermined type.

The present invention relates to a method to stimulate reversal of a diabetic state in a patient; a method to prevent autoimmune destruction of new insulin-producing cells (pancreatic beta-cells) in a patient; a method to promote survival of the newly regenerated insulin-producing cells (pancreatic beta-cells); and an in vivo method for the induction of islet cell neogenesis and new islet formation and the prevention of autoimmune destruction of said new cells.

This invention relates, e.g., to a method for expanding mammalian acinar cells, comprising culturing the cells in a cell culture system comprising a cell culture medium and a cell attachment surface, under conditions wherein the acinar cells undergo a 3-4 fold expansion together with transdifferentiation into a modified cell phenotype (IP cells) showing characteristics of acinar cells and liver cells. The invention also relates to a method for transforming these IP cells to insulin-producing cells in vitro, comprising culturing the cells in a novel, defined medium. Also disclosed are suitable culture media for performing these methods, isolated cells having the phenotype of IP cells and / or produced by these methods, and kits for performing the methods.

The invention relates to the discovery of a selective cell surface marker that permits the selection of a unique subset of pancreatic stem cells having a high propensity to differentiate into insulin-producing cells or into insulin-producing cell aggregates.

Various embodiments of the invention include methods of generating a β-like cell comprising providing an expression cassette comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding MafA under the control of a heterologous promoter and transferring the expression cassette into a non-insulin producing cell, wherein the expression of the MafA in the cell converts the cell into a β-like cell.

The present invention provides for improved methods of transplanting insulin-producing cells for the treatment of diabetes. The methods involve the manipulation of endothelial cell quantity and quality in the transplated material, arising from the inventor's discovery that donor endothelial cells contribute to the revascularization of grafted material.

A pancreatic controller, comprising:a glucose sensor, for sensing a level of glucose or insulin in a body serum;at least one electrode, for electrifying an insulin producing cell or group of cells;a power source for electrifying said electrode with a pulse that does not initiate an action potential in said cell and has an effect of increasing insulin secretion; anda controller which receives the sensed level and controls said power source to electrify said electrode to have a desired effect on said level.

The present invention generally relates to implantable devices for producing insulin in diabetic animals. Some embodiments include amphiphilic biomembranes for use in biological applications (e.g., as an alternative and / or supplemental insulin source). Some embodiments also include live insulin-producing cells contained within one or more amphiphilic membranes so as to prevent or diminish an immuno-response and / or rejection by the host.

A pharmaceutical combination comprising an accelerated lymphocyte homing agent in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of an antibody to the IL-2 receptor, an immunosuppressive macrocyclic lactone and a soluble human complement inhibitor is used to treat or prevent insulin-producing cell graft rejection.

Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a population of human insulin producing cells from non-pancreatic β-cells, wherein the resulting insulin producing cells have increased insulin content, or increased glucose regulated secretion of insulin, or a combination of both.