Abstract: The present invention relates to a population of insulin producing cells made by a process comprising contacting non-insulin producing cells with a growth factor selected from the group consisting of GLP-1 or Exendin-4, growth factors having amino acid sequences substantially homologous to GLP-1 or Exendin-4, and fragmets thereof. The present invention also relates to methods of differentiating non-insulin producing cells into insulin producing cells and of enriching a population of cells for insulin-producing cells. The present invention also relates to methods of treating diabetes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 10, 1999
Date of Patent:
June 6, 2006
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services, NIH
Inventors:
Josephine Egan, Riccardo Perfetti, Antonino Passaniti, Nigel Greig, Harold Holloway, Joel Habener, Doris Stoffers