Methods for organ regeneration

Abstract

A method of enhancing or initiating regeneration of an organ in a subject in need thereof comprising the administration of endothelial cells specific to said organ, or inductive endothelial cells specific to said organ, into the area of the body in which organ regeneration is desired in said subject.

1 . A method of enhancing or initiating regeneration of the liver in a subject in need thereof, comprising the administration of endothelial cells specific to the liver, or inductive endothelial cells specific to the liver, wherein the subject has a defect in or deficiency of non-endothelial ceils within the liven and wherein following the administration, the proliferation or function of non-endothelial cells within the liver is enhanced or improved. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises the intrahepatic transplantation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), or inductive LSECs. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising administration of VEGF-A. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the LSECs or inductive LSECs are VEGFR2+VE-cadherin + VEGFR3 + CD34 −  factor VIII + LSECs. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising administration of hepatocytes. 
     
     
         6 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of expanding hepatocytes in culture by co-culturing said hepatocytes with liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method to enhance or induce liver regeneration in a subject in need thereof comprising administering one or more of VEGF-A, VEGF-E, FGF-2, MMP14, EGF, or other EGF-receptor ligands to said subject in an amount sufficient to enhance or induce liver regeneration in said subject. 
     
     
         13 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A pharmaceutical composition for administration to a subject in need of liver regeneration, comprising isolated endothelial cells specific to the liver, or isolated inductive endothelial cells specific to the liver, in combination with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         16 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 15 , wherein said endothelial cells or inductive endothelial cells are autologous cells. 
     
     
         17 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 15 , wherein the cells are VEGFR2 + VE-cadherin + VEGFR3 + CD34 −  factor VIII +  LSECs. 
     
     
         18 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 15 , further comprising one or more of VEGF-A, VEGF-E, FGF-2, EGF, or MMP14. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of isolating liver-specific endothelial cells comprising isolating cells that are VEGFR2 + VE-cadherin + VEGFR3 + CD34 −  factor VIII +  cells. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)