Abstract: A method for increasing the viability of viable cells which are administered to the brain or spinal cord of a mammalian subject. This method is accomplished by attaching the cell to a support matrix so that the cell attaches to the matrix surface, and implanting the support matrix with the attached cell into the brain or spinal cord. Preferred support matrices are glass or plastic microbeads, either solid or porous, having a diameter from about 90 to about 125 .mu.m. The method employs cells of different types, preferably cells of neural or paraneural origin, such as adrenal chromaffin cells. Also useful are cell lines grown in vitro. Cells not of neural or paraneural origin, such as fibroblasts, may also be used following genetic alteration to express a desired neural product such as a neurotransmitter or a neuronal growth factor. The method is used to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.

Abstract: A method for preparing serum depleted of IgG to be used in the production of IgG monoclonal antibodies is disclosed. Animal serum is contacted with protein G or protein A prior to addition to base media to obtain a superior cell culture medium depleted of serum derived IgG antibodies. Included in the disclosure are improved media preparations for cell culture of antibody producing cells and incorporating the antibody depleted serum and improved methods of producing the antibodies.

Abstract: A method of inducing the proliferation and/or differentiation of human fetal pancreatic cells entails contacting such cells in primary culture with Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor, thereby inducing a proliferation of .beta.-epithelial cells, an increase in the number of .beta.-epithelial cells which form islet-like cell clusters, and an increase in insulin production per cell. The method provides increased numbers of functional islet-like cell clusters for transplantation, for example, into Type 1 diabetic patients. The method can be scaled up so as to provide clinically useful numbers of cells for transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides human corneal epithelial cell lines with extended lifespan. The cell lines are useful as an in vitro model of the human ocular surface. Methods for making and using the cell lines are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for attenuating virulent gram negative bacteria to produce avirulent bacteria. The methods comprise passaging the wild-type bacteria through phagocytic cells, such as macrophages or polymorphonuclear leukocytes, or through lysosomes derived from such cells, a sufficient number of times until the bacteria become avirulent to the animal host. The bacteria are preferably from the family Enterobacteracea and most preferably from the genus Salmonellae. The invention further comprises the avirulent bacteria produced by the methods, pure cultures of such bacteria, and methods of using the bacteria, preferably in a vaccine for administration to an animal host to induce an immune response to the wild-type gram negative bacteria in the host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing myocardial cell proliferation. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that adult human myocardial cells may be induced to proliferate in culture by exposure to a platelet freeze/thaw extract. The present invention provides for a method for inducing myocardial cell proliferation in vitro, as well as for myocardial cell cultures produced by this method. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides for human myocardial cell cultures. The myocardial cell cultures of the invention may be used to study the physiology of cardiac muscle. In addition, they may be used to identify pharmaceutical agents that may be useful in the treatment of heart disease or, alternatively, agents that are cardiotoxic. Furthermore, the cultures of the invention may be used to provide myocardial cells that may be transplanted or implanted in a patient that suffers from a cardiac disorder.

Abstract: Methods and artificial matrices for the growth and implantation of urological structures and surfaces are disclosed in which urothelial cells are grown in culture on biodegradable, biocompatible, fibrous matrices formed of polymers, such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, or other polymers which degrade over time. The cells can be cultured in vitro until an adequate cell volume and density has developed for the cells to survive and proliferate in vivo. Alternatively, when adequate cell numbers for implantation are available, the cells can be attached to the matrix and implanted directly, without proliferation in vitro. The implants approximate the desired urological structure to be replaced or repaired, such as the kidney, urether, bladder, urethra, and the like. Implantation is followed by remodeling through cell growth and proliferation in vivo.

Abstract: The instant invention demonstrates that the 7S and NC1 domains of type IV collagen disrupts cell aggregation and tissue development. Structural changes in mesoglea, inhibition of cell proliferation, and changes in cell differentiation patterns accompanies the blockage of cell aggregates which indicate that blockage may be due to alterations in mesoglea (extracellular matrix) structure with accompanying effects on cell behavior. Type IV collagen has a critical role in the initial formation of mesoglea and that perturbation of mesoglea formation affects cell division, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are disclosed, in which amounts of a haloperoxidase, such as myeloperoxidase or eosinophil peroxidase, and a semen substrate-specific oxidase are administered to a human or animal subject in the environment of sexually transmitted fluids. In the presence of semen, the semen substrate-specific oxidase catalyzes the production of hydrogen peroxide, which in turn is utilized by the haloperoxidase to selectively inhibit pathogenic microbes present in the sexually transmitted fluids. At high concentration levels, the compositions additionally exhibit spermicidal properties.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the fertilization potential of oocytes comprising culturing oocytes in vitro with an effective amount of inhibin, activin, or a combination of inhibin and activin. Preferably the oocytes being cultured are immature. After the culturing step, the oocytes can be fertilized. The oocytes are suitably cryopreserved and thawed before the culturing step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gel of microbially-produced cellulose, characterized in that the microbially-produced cellulose is modified by (1) physically or chemically bonding an animal cell adhesive protein to the cellulose, and/or (2) substituting hydrogen atoms of at least parts of hydroxyl groups of the cellulose with a positively or negatively charged organic group. This gel is valuable as a carrier for mass culture of animal cells or as a medical vulnerary cover.

Abstract: A method of culturing hair follicular stem cells by isolating a subpopulation of follicular keratinocytes from the upper portion of a hair follicle, dispersing the isolated keratinocytes into a single cell suspension, and growing the dispersed isolated keratinocytes in the presence of 3T3 feeder cells is provided. A method of evaluating the efficacy of agents for modulating the activity of bulge cell populations by exposing bulge cells to an agent to be tested and comparing the response of the test cells to established controls for bulge cells is also provided. Methods of modulating the activity of hair follicular stem cells by identifying a subpopulation of follicular keratinocytes from the upper portion of a hair follicle and contracting the cells with a selected agent to stimulate growth or to selectively kill the cells is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biomass for producing virus/virus antigen, which consists of cell aggregates of avian embryo cells having diameters of between 100 .mu.m and 1,000 .mu.m. The biomass according to the invention has a high metabolic activity in suspension in the culture medium and is infected with virus. It enables the large-scale production of pure virus/virus antigen and is particularly suitable for the production of TBE-virus/virus antigen.

Abstract: The invention describes how known peptide POMC.sub.76-103 can be used to stimulate colon cell proliferation. The peptide can be used alone, or in combination with other cell proliferation stimulating agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for isolating and culturing human myocardiocytes from adult human atrial tissue and proliferating cultures resulting therefrom. In one embodiment, the myocardial cells are substantially dissociated through sequential enzymatic digestion and plated on growth medium selective for myocardial cell growth. In another embodiment, the atrial tissue is subjected to only limited digestion to provide an explant tissue portion which is cultured under conditions favoring cell proliferation. Cells migrating from the explant are isolated and subjected to time-based selective attachment and selective growth techniques which result in a myocardial cell culture of approximately 93% purity.

Abstract: A method for growing epithelial cells in vitro is described, The matrix secreted by 804G rat bladder carcinoma cells is able to stimulate cell attachment and hemidesmosome formation in cells grown on the matrix, Human epithelial cells grown on the 804G matrix are able to produce normal hemidesmosomes and attach to their growing substrate.

Abstract: Continuous cultures of pluripotent parenchymal hepatocytes were derived from the epiblasts of pig blastocysts. The cultures are feeder-dependent and grow slowly with doubling times of 3 to 4 days. They differentiate into large secretory duct-like structures or form small canaliculi. Alternatively, the cells accumulate droplets that stain intensely with oil red O, a lipid-specific stain. .alpha.-Fetoprotein and albumin mRNA expression increases as the cells differentiate in culture.

Abstract: An anionic macromolecular containing composition is disclosed that is capable of supporting conservation and differentiation of long-term bone marrow culture initiating cells in cultured mammalian hematopoietic cells. The composition disclosed is a mixture of glycoproteins, more specifically proteoglycans, which are of a molecular weight greater than 200 kD.

Abstract: A process for propagating Pelargonium x domesticum varieties by tissue culture propagation of petiole sections taken from a mother plant. In addition to tissue culture propagation steps and growth media constituents which are known in the art, an essential step of the preferred embodiment of the invention includes the conducting of callus formation by initial culturing of the petiole section in the dark. In all embodiments of the invention, however, it is believed that the effectiveness of the present process is attributable at least in part to the presence in the culture medium of a growth regulator selected from the group consisting of amino or benzyl-glucosides and amino- or benzyl-glycosides or any other composition chemically equivalent to the exemplary regulator benzylamino riboside.

Abstract: Most of the problems of prior art techniques for growing cells in hollow fiber devices can be avoided by growing the cells in short lengths (e.g., two inches (5.0 cm.) or less) of microporous hollow fibers. The fibers are prepared by chopping commercial lengths of hollow fibers into small pieces, preferably two inches (5 cm.) or smaller. Such chopped hollow fibers or bundles of hollow fibers are then added to a suitable medium for growth of cells and the medium is incubated. Very high cell densities have been observed in the chopped fibers.