Cell therapy: a method and a composition for treating diabetes

Abstract

A method of obtaining beta-islet cells from pancreases of rabbits and a composition for transplantation (xenografts or xenotransplants) of beta-islet cells isolated and cultured from rabbit pancreases to promote natural insulin production among people with diabetes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of obtaining beta-islet cells from pancreases of rabbits, the method comprising:
 harvesting said pancreases of newborn rabbits and placing pancreases in a salt solution comprising an antibiotic at a temperature of 4-10° C.;   obtaining minced pancreatic micro fragments from said pancreases; and   incubating said minced pancreatic micro fragments in a serum free medium at a first incubation temperature 36.6° C. to 37° C. for 6 to 10 days at 0% to 5% CO 2  for a first incubation period and periodically replacing the serum free medium and removing spontaneously destroyed unwanted cells comprising exocrine cells and blood cells and elements of connective tissue until at least 80% of remaining cells are beta-islet cells; and   incubating said minced pancreatic micro fragments in said serum free medium at a second incubation temperature 22° C. to 29° C. for 4 to 5 days for a second incubation period until at least 78-90% of remaining cells are beta-islet cells, wherein said serum free medium is optionally periodically replaced, and thereby obtaining beta-islet cells.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first incubation period is 7 to 8 days. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second incubation temperature is 24° C.