Provided herein are carrier cells and virus combinations and methods for treatment of cancers. Also provided are modified carrier cells for such treatment, and methods of selecting carrier cells that are matched to subjects for such treatment.

A method for treating the gastro-intestinal or a urogenital system of a subject with prebiotic nutrients and probiotic bacteria is provided. Multi-chamber products are described which include at least two chambers wherein probiotic bacteria or human microbiome transplants are contained in one or more inner chambers and wherein prebiotic nutrients are contained in an outer chamber, the outer chamber completely enclosing the inner chamber(s). One or both chambers may contain a pharmaceutically acceptable material that is solid outside the human body when in a dry environment, but that melts at internal body temperature. The products may be administered by oral, rectal, vaginal, or urethral routes.

The present invention relates to a cryopreserved in vitro cell culture comprising human pancreatic progenitor cells that co-express pancreatic-duodenal homeobox factor-1 (PDX1) and NK6 homeobox 1 (NKX6.1) and are chromogranin negative. The present invention also relates to a method for cryopreserving an in vitro population of human pancreatic progenitor cells that co-express PDX1 and NKX6.1 and are chromogranin negative.

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.

A method for treating the gastrointestinal or a urogenital system of a subject with prebiotic nutrients and probiotic bacteria is provided. Multi-chamber products are described which include at least two chambers wherein probiotic bacteria or human microbiome transplants are contained in one or more inner chambers and wherein prebiotic nutrients are contained in an outer chamber, the outer chamber completely enclosing the inner chamber(s). One or both chambers may contain a pharmaceutically acceptable material that is solid outside the human body when in a dry environment, but that melts at internal body temperature. The products may be administered by oral, rectal, vaginal, or urethral routes.

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.

Described herewith are compositions comprising placental growth factors and methods for non-surgical, localized delivery thereof. The composition is delivered to a diseased or injured organ and/or body part and is formulated in a manner which allows for localized retention of the composition at the site of delivery.

The invention relates to the discovery that the proliferation and survival of pancreatic progenitor cells can be enhanced by contacting the cells with, (1) a caspase inhibitor sufficient to reduce apoptosis in the pancreatic endocrine cells; and, (2) a growth factor in an amount sufficient to increase the level of activated Akt in the pancreatic endocrine cells.

A device containing transplanted tissue includes a housing, having a chamber configured for insertion into a body of a subject and protecting the transplanted tissue from the subject's immune system. The housing includes an oxygen supply container, a hydrogel layer, a port, and an access port. The oxygen supply container has a chamber defined by top and bottom surfaces and sides, disposed within the chamber of the housing. The top surface and the bottom surface of the oxygen supply container include a gas-permeable membrane. The hydrogel layer has inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the hydrogel layer contacts the top surface of the oxygen supply container or the bottom surface of the oxygen supply container. The port is configured to deliver oxygen to the oxygen supply container. The access port is configured to receive an exogenous supply of gas and is fluidly connected to the port.

The present invention relates to methods for encapsulating pancreatic progenitors in a biocompatible semi-permeable encapsulating device. The present invention also relates to production of human insulin in a mammal in response to glucose stimulation.