Cultured cells from pancreatic islets

Patent Number: 7,157,278

The possibility of ex vivo expansion of islets has been a goal of cell therapy researchers for decades. This patent teaches methods of isolating beta precursor cells from pancreatic islets, expansion ex vivo through culture in serum-free growth factors, and the possible use for replacement therapy in diabetics.

Identification of islet precursors is performed by assessment of nestin and pdx1 expression on the cells growing in vitro.

This patent provides detailed examples of how to expand the islet precursors but provides no in vivo data for efficacy of these cells in treating diabetes.

View this patent on the USPTO website.