Progenitor cells and methods and uses related thereto

Pluripotent stem cells have generated tremendous interest in the biomedical community. With the realization that stem cells can be isolated from many adult tissues has come the hope that cultures of relatively pure stem cells can be maintained in vitro for use in treating a wide range of conditions. Stem cells, with their capability for self-regeneration in vitro and their ability to produce differentiated cell types, may be useful for replacing the function of aging or failing cells in nearly any organ system. By some estimates, over 100 million Americans suffer from disorders that might be alleviated by tranplantation technologies that utilize stem cells (Perry (2000) 287:1423). Such illnesses include, for example, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancers and burns. The present invention relates to a substantially pure population of viable pancreatic progenitor cells, and methods for isolating such cells. The present invention further concerns certain therapeutic uses for such progenitor cells, and their progeny.