Provided herein are methods of producing β cells and precursors thereof utilizing a Wnt signaling inhibitor or PKC activator, or both. Also provided herein are in vitro cultures comprising said cells, methods of treating a subject with a disease characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time by administering said cells, and devices for encapsulating said cells.

The present invention relates to generation of cell lines expressing recombinant proteins for use in naked and encapsulated cell biodelivery of secreted therapeutic molecules. In one embodiment the cell line is human. In another aspect of the invention the transposon system is used for generating a cell line for secretion of a biologically active polypeptide.

Biomedical devices for implantation with decreased pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth are disclosed. The device includes biocompatible materials and has specific characteristics that allow the device to elicit less of a fibrotic reaction after implantation than the same device lacking one or more of these characteristic that are present on the device. Biocompatible hydrogel capsules encapsulating mammalian cells having a diameter of greater than 1 mm, and optionally a cell free core, are disclosed which have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

The Invention features an implantable cell device that includes a membrane defining and enclosing a chamber; a distance body within the chamber for reducing the diffusion distance for a biological active factor to or across the membrane; and a support scaffold within the chamber for increasing the cell support surface area per unit volume of the chamber for distributing cells.

The present invention relates to generation of cell lines expressing recombinant proteins for use in naked and encapsulated cell biodelivery of secreted therapeutic molecules. In one embodiment the cell line is human. In another aspect of the invention the transposon system is used for generating a cell line for secretion of a biologically active polypeptide.

A therapeutic composition comprising a purified fraction of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in a three-dimensional biocompatible gel matrix, and methods, and systems for preparing and using encapsulated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Hydrogel microbeads encapsulating stem cells maintain the viability and location of the stem cells for an extended period as compared to stem cells in suspension. The gel matrix allows the release of cellular factors from the encapsulated stem cells to surrounding tissues to achieve desired therapeutic results.

Biocompatible hydrogel capsules encapsulating mammalian cells having a diameter of greater than 1 mm, and optionally a cell free core, are disclosed which have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

The invention comprises an implantable cell device that includes a membrane defining and enclosing a chamber; a distance body within the chamber for reducing the diffusion distance for a biological active factor to or across the membrane; and a support scaffold within the chamber for increasing the cell support surface area per unit volume of the chamber for distributing cells.

Biomedical devices for implantation with decreased pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth are disclosed. The device includes biocompatible materials and has specific characteristics that allow the device to elicit less of a fibrotic reaction after implantation than the same device lacking one or more of these characteristic that are present on the device. Biocompatible hydrogel capsules encapsulating mammalian cells having a diameter of greater than 1 mm, and optionally a cell free core, are disclosed which have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

A therapeutic composition comprising a purified fraction of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in a three-dimensional biocompatible gel matrix, and methods, and systems for preparing and using encapsulated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Hydrogel microbeads encapsulating stem cells maintain the viability and location of the stem cells for an extended period as compared to stem cells in suspension. The gel matrix allows the release of cellular factors from the encapsulated stem cells to surrounding tissues to achieve desired therapeutic results.