USE OF CO-LOCALIZED ISLETS AND SERTOLI CELLS IN XENOGRAFT CELLULAR TRANSPLANTS

摘要

The present invention describes a method of treating a disease that results from a deficiency of a biological factor which comprises administering to a mammal Sertoli cells and cells that produce the biological factor. In particular, the present invention describes a method of treating diabetes mellitus by transplanting pancreatic islet of Langerhans cells in conjunction with Sertoli cells to create an immunologically privileged site. A method of creating an immunologically privileged site and providing cell stimulatory factors in a mammal for transplants is further described by the present invention. A method of co-localizing islet cells with Sertoli cells and the use of the co-localized product for treating diabetes mellitus is further provided. The present invention further describes a method of creating systemic tolerance to foreign antigens. A method of enhancing the viability, maturation, proliferation of functional capacity of cells in tissue culture is further provided. A pharmaceutical composition comprising Sertoli cells and cells that produce a biological factor is also provided.