Abstract: A method of delivering a compound of interest to the lungs of a subject by the intravenous injection of Sertoli cells loaded with a plurality of chitosan nanoparticles coupled with the compound of interest is provided. Testis-derived rat Sertoli cells were pre-loaded with chitosan nanoparticles coupled with or without the drug curcumin, pre-labeled with a fluorescent cell marker and then injected intravenously into the control or asthmatic mouse model host. Intact pre-loaded, pre-labeled Sertoli cells were present in the lungs at 15 minutes post-injection, appeared entrapped in the pulmonary pre-capillary vascular bed around alveolar sacs but were not present one hour post-injection although Sertoli cell label and cellular debris was. Most of the injected nanoparticle load (70%) and curcumin load (80%) was present in the lungs 15 minutes post-injection, and remained at 70% and 80%, respectively, one hour post-injection.

Abstract: A method of delivering a compound of interest to the lungs of a subject by the intravenous injection of Sertoli cells loaded with a plurality of chitosan nanoparticles coupled with the compound of interest is provided. Testis-derived rat Sertoli cells were pre-loaded with chitosan nanoparticles coupled with or without the drug curcumin, pre-labeled with a fluorescent cell marker and then injected intravenously into the control or asthmatic mouse model host. Intact pre-loaded, pre-labeled Sertoli cells were present in the lungs at 15 minutes post-injection, appeared entrapped in the pulmonary pre-capillary vascular bed around alveolar sacs but were not present one hour post-injection although Sertoli cell label and cellular debris was. Most of the injected nanoparticle load (70%) and curcumin load (80%) was present in the lungs 15 minutes post-injection, and remained at 70% and 80%, respectively, one hour post-injection.

Abstract: A method of delivering a compound of interest to the lungs of a subject by the intravenous injection of Sertoli cells loaded with a plurality of chitosan nanoparticles coupled with the compound of interest is provided. Testis-derived rat Sertoli cells were pre-loaded with chitosan nanoparticles coupled with or without the drug curcumin, pre-labeled with a fluorescent cell marker and then injected intravenously into the control or asthmatic mouse model host. Intact pre-loaded, pre-labeled Sertoli cells were present in the lungs at 15 minutes post-injection, appeared entrapped in the pulmonary pre-capillary vascular bed around alveolar sacs but were not present one hour post-injection although Sertoli cell label and cellular debris was. Most of the injected nanoparticle load (70%) and curcumin load (80%) was present in the lungs 15 minutes post-injection, and remained at 70% and 80%, respectively, one hour post-injection.

Abstract: A method of delivering a compound of interest to the lungs of a subject by the intravenous injection of Sertoli cells loaded with a plurality of chitosan nanoparticles coupled with the compound of interest is provided. Testis-derived rat Sertoli cells were pre-loaded with chitosan nanoparticles coupled with or without the drug curcumin, pre-labeled with a fluorescent cell marker and then injected intravenously into the control or asthmatic mouse model host. Intact pre-loaded, pre-labeled Sertoli cells were present in the lungs at 15 minutes post-injection, appeared entrapped in the pulmonary pre-capillary vascular bed around alveolar sacs but were not present one hour post-injection although Sertoli cell label and cellular debris was. Most of the injected nanoparticle load (70%) and curcumin load (80%) was present in the lungs 15 minutes post-injection, and remained at 70% and 80%, respectively, one hour post-injection.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferating cells in culture by contacting cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation.

Abstract: A method of delivering a compound of interest to the lungs of a subject by the intravenous injection of Sertoli cells loaded with a plurality of chitosan nanoparticles coupled with the compound of interest is provided. Testis-derived rat Sertoli cells were pre-loaded with chitosan nanoparticles coupled with or without the drug curcumin, pre-labeled with a fluorescent cell marker and then injected intravenously into the control or asthmatic mouse model host. Intact pre-loaded, pre-labeled Sertoli cells were present in the lungs at 15 minutes post-injection, appeared entrapped in the pulmonary pre-capillary vascular bed around alveolar sacs but were not present one hour post-injection although Sertoli cell label and cellular debris was. Most of the of the injected nanoparticle to load (70%) and curcumin load (80%) was present in the lungs 15 minutes post-injection, and remained at 70% and 80%, respectively, one hour post-injection.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a biological chamber system having a biochamber defined by outer walls of Sertoli cells. Also provided is a transplantation facilitator including a biochamber. A method of making biochambers by co-culturing facilitator cells and therapeutic cells and then aggregating the facilitator celes is also provided. Also provided is a method of transplanting cells by incorporating transplant cells into a biochamber and transplanting the biochamber containing the transplant cells.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferation cells in culture by contacting cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation.

Abstract: A method of producing a sustained localized immunosuppressive effect in localized tissues is achieved by transplanting Sertoli cells proximate to the tissue.

Abstract: A method of generating in situ trophic factor production by transplanting Sertoli cells into a tissue in need of trophic factors of a mammal, the cells creating trophic factors in situ.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the viability of cryopreserved cells is culturing Sertoli cells in media to produce preconditioned media and adding the preconditioned media to the cells to be cryopreserved. The cells are then cryopreserved. Alternatively, a method of enhancing the viability of cryopreserved cells is co-culturing Sertoli cells and cells to be cryopreserved in media and cryopreserving both.

Abstract: A method to increase viability, number, survival and maturation of cells for transplantation or cryopreservation by culturing the cells with Sertoli cells or with sertoli-cell conditioned media (SCM) prior to transplantation (pre-culturing) or cryopreservation.

Abstract: A method of producing a sustained localized brain immunosuppressive effect in localized tissues is achieved by transplanting Sertoli cells proximate to the brain tissue.

Abstract: A purified and isolated Sertoli cell and secretory cell hybrid, or an aggregate of these two cells, wherein the secretory cells preferably are pancreatic islet cells and chromaffin cells characterized by beinga) capable of survival in situ after transplantation;b) able to provide immunoprotection for the hybrid cells when transplanted; andc) able to provide a mechanism for prolonged viability and cellular functionality of the transplanted hybrid cells wherein the hybrid maintains both the immunoprotection characteristics of the Sertoli cell and the secretory function of the secretory cell.

Abstract: A method of generating in situ trophic factor production by transplanting Sertoli cells into the central nervous system of a mammal, the cells creating trophic factors in situ.