Abstract: A method for treating diabetes in a patient comprising subcutaneously implanting in the patient at least one immunoisolatory vehicle comprising a core comprising a volume of at least 1 .mu.l and at least about 10.sup.4 living cells which secrete insulin, said cells being dispersed in a biocompatible matrix comprising a hydrogel or extracellular matrix components, and a surrounding external jacket of a biocompatible thermoplastic or hydrogel free of said cells projecting externally thereof, said jacket being permselective and immunoisolatory, said jacket having a molecular weight cutoff permitting passage of molecules between the patient and core through said jacket wherein the insulin is released from the immunoisolatory vehicle into the patient's body to treat diabetes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for controlling cell distribution within an implantable bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the bioartificial organ with extracellular matrix molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination. The bioartificial organ typically has a semipermeable membrane encapsulating a cell-containing core, and is preferably immunoisolatory.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for controlling cell distribution within an implantable bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the bioartificial organ with extracellular matrix molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination.

Abstract: A method of making an immunoisolatory vehicle comprised of a core comprising living cells dispersed in a biocompatible matrix is disclosed, the cells being capable of secreting a biologically active product or of providing a metabolic or immunologic function to an individual, and an external jacket surrounding said core which is a biocompatible, permselective thermoplastic or hydrogel, said jacket being free of said cells, comprising coextruding a suspension comprising said cells dispersed in a precursor matrix material comprising extracellular matrix components or a biocompatible hydrogel precursor, and a solution of a biocompatible jacket precursor from a nested dual-bore extrusion nozzle, wherein the suspension of (a) is coextruded from the inner bore and the solution of (b) is coextruded from the outer bore of the nozzle, to form said jacket as the solution of (b) and the suspension of (a) arc coextruded; and exposing the vehicle to a treatment that forms a core comprising a volume of at least 1 .mu.

Abstract: Immunoisolatory vehicles having a core and a surrounding jacket are disclosed, the core having a volume in excess of 1 .mu.l and at least about 10.sup.4 living cells capable of secreting a biologically active product or of providing a biological function to a patient, the cells dispersed in a biocompatible matrix formed of a hydrogel or an extracellular matrix component, and the external jacket being permselective, biocompatible and having a molecular weight cutoff permitting passage of molecules between the patient and the core through said jacket to provide said biological product or function.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions of controlling cell distribution within a bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the BAO with ECM molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination. A particular embodiment is directed to derivatizing or adsorbing polyethylene oxide-poly(dimethylsiloxane) copolymer (PEO-PDMS) onto a surface within the bioartificial organ to inhibit cellular attachment.