Progenitor cells, methods and uses related thereto

Patent Number: 6946293

This patent teachs ways of expanding a certain type of pancreatic progenitor cell through the steps of first extracting pancreatic or ductal cells; second, treating the cells with a preparation comprising epidermal growth factor, a cAMP elevating agent, and a steroid or corticosteroid; and , third harvesting a non-adherent population. The first and second independent claims essentially cover the mentioned process. The third independent claim covers the use of EGF and FGF for expansion, without mentioning a cAMP elevating agent, and a steroid or corticosteroid.

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