University of Miami

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Sapienza Universitá Di Roma

University of Miami-diabetes Research Institute

Juan Dominguez-Bendala

Luca Inverardi

Camillo D Ricordi

Lola M Reid

Yunfang Wang

Christopher A Fraker

David A Gerber

Giacomo Lanzoni

Domenico Alvaro

Vincenzo Cardinale

Eugenio Gaudio

Guido Carpino

Ricardo L Pastori

Lola Mcadams Reid

Provided herein are recombinant expression vector systems for expression by stem cells that allow for selective elimination of stem cell-derived tumorigenic cells, while preserving stem cell-derived therapeutic cells. The systems provided herein provide a means by which modified stem cells can be safely transplanted into subjects. In exemplary embodiments, the system comprises at least two suicide genes, one of which is specifically inactivated in cells exhibiting the desired phenotype and one of which is activated when the cell comprising the recombinant expression vector system behaves similarly to or the same as a tumor cell.

Double suicide gene vector systems for stem cells

Compositions and methods are provided for generating islet-like cell clusters. The methods include culturing a whole non-islet pancreatic cell discard or cells sorted therefrom with an effective amount of a molecule having Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) activity (e.g., a BMP polypeptide). The effective amount of said molecule having BMP activity (e.g., BMP polypeptide) is sufficient to induce the formation of islet-like cell clusters. The methods further include treating or attenuating insulin-deficiency disorders, including type 1 diabetes. In one non-limiting embodiment, an insulin-deficiency disorder in a subject is treated or attenuated by culturing a whole non-islet pancreatic cell discard or cells sorted therefrom with an effective amount of a molecule having BMP activity (e.g., a BMP polypeptide) such that tho formation of islet-like cell clusters occurs. A therapeutically effective amount of the islet-like cell clusters which produce insulin are then transplanted into a subject in need to treat the insulin-deficiency disorder.

Methods and compositions for converting non-endocrine pancreatic tissue into insulin-producing cells

A method of repairing diseased or dysfunctional pancreas or liver is provided. The method involves preparation of a suspension of stem cells and/or progenitor cells such as biliary tree stem cells, hepatic stem cells, pancreatic stem cells or their descendants, committed progenitor cells, from healthy tissue of the patient or of the biliary tree of a non-autologous donor and engrafting the cells into the wall of bile ducts near to the organ to be treated. The graft consists of stem cells or progenitors that are admixed with biomaterials and, optionally, with cytokines and/or native epithelial-mesenchymal cells appropriate for the maturational lineage stage of the cells to be engrafted. The cells are specifically introduced to the hepato-pancreatic common duct of the subject for treatment of pancreatic conditions or to the bile duct wall near to the liver for treatment of liver conditions and allowed to migrate to the pancreas or to the liver and expand and then rebuild part or the entirety of the diseased or dysfunctional organ.

Method of treating pancreatic and liver conditions by endoscopic-mediated (or laparoscopic-mediated) transplantation of stem cells into/onto bile duct walls of particular regions of the biliary tree

Provided is a cell culture apparatus for culturing cells, that provides enhanced oxygen delivery and supply to cells without the need for stirring or sparging. Oxygen diffusion occurs on both sides of the culture vessel, top and bottom. A gas-permeable membrane that includes perfluorocarbons or fluorocarbon derivatives (e.g., fluorinated silane, partially fluorinated silane) in its composition allows for the rapid, enhanced and uniform transfer of oxygen between the environment of cells or tissues contained in the cell culture container apparatus and the atmosphere of the incubator in which the cell culture apparatus is incubated.

Enhanced oxygen cell culture platforms

Provided is a cell culture apparatus for culturing cells, that provides enhanced oxygen delivery and supply to cells without the need for stirring or sparging. Oxygen diffusion occurs on both sides of the culture vessel, top and bottom. A gas-permeable membrane that includes perfluorocarbons in its composition allows for the rapid, enhanced and uniform transfer of oxygen between the environment of cells or tissues contained in the cell culture container apparatus and the atmosphere of the incubator in which the cell culture apparatus is incubated.

Growing community of inventors

Miramar, FL, United States of America

Juan Dominguez-Bendala