Abstract:
A method of generating islet cells from pluripotent stem cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) culturing the pluripotent stem cells in a differentiation medium so as to differentiate the pluripotent stem cells into endoderm cells; and (b) culturing the endoderm cells in a medium comprising at least one growth factor, a cAMP inducer and retinoic acid (RA), said at least one growth factor being selected from the group consisting of FGF10, bFGF and FGF7 so as to generate further differentiated cells; and (c) culturing the further differentiated cells in a medium comprising a maturation factor selected from the group consisting of nicotinamide, GLP-1 and exendin 4, thereby generating islet cells from pluripotent stem cells. Further methods of generating islet cells are also disclosed, isolated cell populations comprising same and uses thereof.
Abstract:
An anti-tumor pharmaceutical composition includes cells into which a gene encoding human IL-6 has been inserted. A method of treatment of a patient suffering from cancer to prevent and/or inhibit the development of metastases by administering to the patient the anti-tumor pharmaceutical composition including the above mentioned cells.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process to isolate genetic material (DNA) containing the nucleotide sequence coding for interferon in human fibroblastic cells which comprises cultivating cells producing interferon when exposed to an inducer of interferon, exposing same to such inducer, extracting messenger RNA from said induced cells, purifying the interferon messenger RNA, transcribing the messenger RNA into DNA and cloning the DNA in a suitable vector. Preferred cells are human diploid foreskin cells. The invention further relates to a process for engineering a bacterial strain to produce interferon polypeptide which comprises introducing a cloned interferon DNA into a suitable vector-carrier. A preferred vector-carrier is E. coli. The invention also relates to the mRNA of human interferon in highly purified form, to the mRNA of human interferon in .beta.1 highly purified form, to the mRNA of human interferon in .beta.2 highly purified form, to the DNA coding for a polypeptide having interferon activity, insertable in a vector, such as plasmid pBR322, and also to human interferon .beta.1 in highly purified form, and human interferon .beta.2 in highly purified form.
Abstract:
Human natural IFN-.beta.2/IL-6 receptor and its soluble extracellular fragment are provided in substantially purified form and are shown to stimulate and to enhance beneficial effects of IFN-.beta.2/IL-6, such as its antiproliferative activity. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised against the soluble fragment of the receptor are also provided.
Abstract:
Human DNA encoding enzymes having (2'-5') oligo A synthetase has been sequenced. The amino acid sequences of the enzymes have been deduced. Antigenic peptides have been prepared and have been used to raise antibodies which recognize and immunoprecipitate the 40 kd, 46 kd, 67 kd and 100 kd forms of (2'-5') oligo A synthetase. Methods of monitoring interferon activity in a subject are presented.
Abstract:
A method of generating neural and glial cells is provided. The method comprising growing human stem cells under conditions which induce differentiation of said human stem cells into the neural and glial cells, said conditions comprising the presence of retinoic acid and an agent capable of down-regulating Bone Morphogenic Protein activity.
Abstract:
Novel proteins IR1B1 and IR1B4 have been isolated which bind to the type I IFN receptor IFNAR1 and function in the cellular response to IFNs. DNA encoding such proteins in either the sense or anti-sense orientation can be administered to either enhance or inhibit the cellular response to IFNs. Antibodies to the proteins can be used for isolation of the new protein or for immunodetection thereof.
Abstract:
Novel proteins IR1B1 and IR1B4 have been isolated which bind to the type I IFN receptor IFNAR1 and function in the cellular response to IFNs. DNA encoding such proteins in either the sense or anti-sense orientation can be administered to either enhance or inhibit the cellular response to IFNs. Antibodies to the proteins can be used for isolation of the new protein or for immunodetection thereof.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for the use of IL6R/IL6 chimera for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of neurological diseases and disorders.