The present disclosure is directed to a method of treating or preventing diabetes, prediabetes, and/or glucose intolerance using TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 25 (TNFRSF25) agonistic antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof. The disclosure is also directed to methods for increasing graft survival and for treating or preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using TNFRSF25 agonistic antibody.

Pharmaceutical compositions containing microbial entities are described herein. The pharmaceutical compositions may optionally contain or be used in conjunction with one or more prebiotics. Uses of the pharmaceutical compositions to treat or prevent disorders of the local or systemic microbiome in a subject are also provided.

Pharmaceutical compositions containing microbial entities are described herein. The pharmaceutical compositions may optionally contain or be used in conjunction with one or more prebiotics. Uses of the pharmaceutical compositions to treat or prevent disorders of the local or systemic microbiome in a subject are also provided.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing beta cell maturation, health and function. The invention may be used for increasing insulin secretion in a cell, promoting the formation of cell clusters, or reducing cell death. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods provide a treatment for diabetes. In some embodiments, the composition comprises an agent which increases a β-cell surface protein expression, activity or both.

The present invention provides an improved method for producing pancreatic islet-containing capsules.

A method for producing pancreatic islet-containing capsules, comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a sodium alginate solution A containing pancreatic islets at a concentration of 10,000 IEQ/mL or more;

(b) adding the sodium alginate solution to a divalent cation solution dropwise, and collecting gelled particles;

(c) adding the particles collected in step (b) to a poly-L-ornithine solution A, followed by stirring and then collecting particles;

(d) adding the particles collected in step (c) to a sodium alginate solution B, followed by stirring and then collecting particles; and

(e) adding the particles collected in step (d) to a sodium citrate solution, followed by stirring and then collecting particles.

The present invention provides an improved method for producing pancreatic islet-containing capsules.

A method for producing pancreatic islet-containing capsules, comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a sodium alginate solution A containing pancreatic islets at a concentration of 10,000 IEQ/mL or more;

(b) adding the sodium alginate solution to a divalent cation solution dropwise, and collecting gelled particles;

(c) adding the particles collected in step (b) to a poly-L-ornithine solution A, followed by stirring and then collecting particles;

(d) adding the particles collected in step (c) to a sodium alginate solution B, followed by stirring and then collecting particles; and

(e) adding the particles collected in step (d) to a sodium citrate solution, followed by stirring and then collecting particles.

Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Methods of using pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy to treat pancreatic disorders such as type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer are provided. The methods utilize pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy either by itself or in combination with islet transplantation and/or stem cell therapy to promote regeneration of damaged pancreatic tissue, increase insulin secretion in response to glucose, or improve engraftment and revascularization of transplanted islets or beta cells. Additionally, methods of using pFUS are provided for modulating paracrine secretion in the pancreas, islets, beta cells, or stem cells, or at a transplantation site to therapeutically alter levels of various factors including, without limitation, cytokines, growth factors, angiogenic factors, and cell adhesion molecules.

Methods of using pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy to treat pancreatic disorders such as type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer are provided. The methods utilize pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy either by itself or in combination with islet transplantation and/or stem cell therapy to promote regeneration of damaged pancreatic tissue, increase insulin secretion in response to glucose, or improve engraftment and revascularization of transplanted islets or beta cells. Additionally, methods of using pFUS are provided for modulating paracrine secretion in the pancreas, islets, beta cells, or stem cells, or at a transplantation site to therapeutically alter levels of various factors including, without limitation, cytokines, growth factors, angiogenic factors, and cell adhesion molecules.