Abstract: Nanocells allow the sequential delivery of two different therapeutic agents with different modes of action or different pharmacokinetics. A nanocell is formed by encapsulating a nanocore with a first agent inside a lipid vesicle containing a second agent. The agent in the outer lipid compartment is released first and may exert its effect before the agent in the nanocore is released. The nanocell delivery system may be formulated in pharmaceutical composition for delivery to patients suffering from diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases such as asthma, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, infectious diseases, and neurological diseases such as epilepsy. In treating cancer, a traditional antineoplastic agent is contained in the outer lipid vesicle of the nanocell, and an antiangiogenic agent is loaded into the nanocore. This arrangement allows the antineoplastic agent to be released first and delivered to the tumor before the tumor's blood supply is cut off by the antiangiogenic agent.

Abstract: This invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions that modulate the stem cell environment. More specifically, the invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions for modulating stem cell differentiation. Therefore, methods and compositions are provided for modulating glycosaminoglycan moieties, e.g., heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan (HSGAG) moieties, in the microenvironment of stem cells. Methods and compositions for promoting or inhibiting embryonic stem cell differentiation (e.g., differentiation into endothelial cells) are also provided. This invention also relates, therefore, in part, to cell populations (e.g., endothelial cell populations or impoverished endothelial cell populations) that can be produced with the methods and compositions provided. Furthermore, the invention relates, in part, to tissues, and uses thereof, formed by the methods and compositions provided. Moreover, the invention also relates, in part, to methods of treatment using the methods and compositions provided.