Patent ID: 8377689

Claim:
A cell culture of propagating pancreatic cells produced by the steps of: (a) isolating pancreatic cells from a pancreas, (b) a EphA4 cell selection, and (c) a CD56 cell selection, wherein the EphA4 cell selection comprises (1) contacting the pancreatic cells with an EphA4 binding reagent; (2) selecting pancreatic cells that specifically bind to the EphA4 binding reagent; and (3) separating the selected pancreatic cells from pancreatic cells that do not bind the EphA4 binding reagent to obtain a culture of propagating EphAr pancreatic cells, and wherein the CD56 cell selection comprises (x) contacting the pancreatic cells with a CD56 binding reagent; (y) selecting pancreatic cells that specifically bind to the CD56 binding reagent; and (z) separating the selected pancreatic cells from pancreatic cells that do not bind the CD56 binding reagent to obtain a culture of propagating CD56 + pancreatic cells, wherein the propagating pancreatic cells have a capacity to differentiate into insulin producing cells and wherein the CD56 cell selection is performed before or after contacting the pancreatic cells with the EphA4 binding reagent.