| abstract |
A method for culturing Langerhans islets to obtain an amount sufficient for transplant and autotransplant is disclosed. The islets are cultured in a culture serum (rat/human) medium which is supplemented with radical scavengers, growth factors, a matrix material, nerve growth factor, cell migrating/scattering factors and anti-integrin β1 antibody at proper the time during the culturing process The medium is supplemented with radical scavengers and growth factors for the first time and then further supplemented with matrix material, radical scavengers, nerve growth factor and the growth factors around 12-24 hours after culturing. Thereafter, the medium is supplemented with growth factors, cell migrating/scattering factors and anti-integrin β1 antibody at 4-5 days into the culturing process. The culturing process is conducted for an extended period of time, so that any latent red blood cells are eliminated from the islet culture The islets then continue to proliferate to produce an amount of islets which is sufficient for transplantation into a diabetic patient, including a human, to provide extended normoglycaemia and islet regeneration to fully treat diabetes mellitus without the growth of fibroblasts. |