Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using newly identified stem cells that are capable of differentiation into a variety of pancreatic islet cells, including insulin-producing beta cells, as well as hepatocytes. Nestin has been identified as a molecular marker for pancreatic stem cells, while cytokeratin-19 serves as a marker for a distinct class of islet ductal cells. Methods are described whereby nestin-positive stem cells can be isolated from pancreatic islets and cultured to obtain further stem cells or pseudo-islet like structures. Methods for ex vivo differentiation of the pancreatic stem cells are disclosed. Methods are described whereby pancreatic stem cells can be isolated, expanded, and transplanted into a patient in need thereof, either allogeneically, isogeneically or xenogenically, to provide replacement for lost or damaged insulin-secreting cells or other cells.

Abstract: Derivatives of glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-1) and especially GLP-1(7-36) have been found to have insulinotropic activity. The invention pertains to the use of GLP-1(7-36) for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using newly identified stem cells that are capable of differentiation into a variety of pancreatic islet cells, including insulin-producing beta cells, as well as hepatocytes. Nestin and ABCG2 have been identified as molecular markers for pancreatic stem cells, while cytokeratin-19 serves as a marker for a distinct class of islet ductal cells. Methods are described whereby nestin and/or ABCG2-positive stem cells can be isolated from pancreatic islets and cultured to obtain further stem cells or pseudo-islet like structures. Methods for ex vivo differentiation of the pancreatic stem cells are disclosed. Methods are described whereby pancreatic stem cells can be isolated, expanded, and transplanted into a patient in need thereof, either allogeneically, isogeneically or xenogenically, to provide replacement for lost or damaged insulin-secreting cells or other cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using newly identified stem cells that are capable of differentiation into a variety of pancreatic islet cells, including insulin-producing beta cells, as well as hepatocytes. Nestin has been identified as a molecular marker for pancreatic stem cells, while cytokeratin-19 serves as a marker for a distinct class of islet ductal cells. Methods are described whereby nestin-positive stem cells can be isolated from pancreatic islets and cultured to obtain further stem cells or pseudo-islet like structures. Methods for ex vivo differentiation of the pancreatic stem cells are disclosed. Methods are described whereby pancreatic stem cells can be isolated, expanded, and transplanted into a patient in need thereof, either allogeneically, isogeneically or xenogenically, to provide replacement for lost or damaged insulin-secreting cells or other cells.

Abstract: The invention features a method of treating deficiency of insulin in a patient, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof hedgehog protein or nucleic acid in an amount effective to raise the level of insulin in the patient.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using newly identified stem cells that are capable of differentiation into a variety of pancreatic islet cells, including insulin-producing beta cells, as well as hepatocytes. Nestin and GLP-1 receptor have been identified as molecular markers for pancreatic stem cells, while cytokeratin-19 serves as a marker for a distinct class of islet ductal cells. Methods are described whereby stem cells which express one or both of nestin and GLP-1R can be isolated from pancreatic islets and cultured to obtain further stem cells or pseudo-islet like structures. Methods for ex vivo differentiation of the pancreatic stem cells are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for screening a patient for pancreatic disease are disclosed and are based upon detection of a mutation in the gene encoding insulin promoter factor-1 (IPF-1) which is linked to diabetes mellitus and pancreatic agenesis.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward the characterization and cloning of a cAMP-responsive transcription enhancer binding protein (CREB). This protein, CREB, is a transcriptional activator which activates transcription in eukaryotic cells. This CREB protein can be used to increase or decrease production of proteins by stimulating expression of a recombinant gene that is operably-linked to the CRE enhancer element and responsive to cAMP.

Abstract: The invention features a novel recombinant polypeptide that transactivates the somatostatin promoter, the polypeptide being present in pancreatic duct cells and not present in pancreatic &agr;-cells, the polypeptide being encoded by a gene which encodes a protein on the order of 31 kd.

Abstract: Derivatives of glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-1) and especially GLP-1(7-36) have been found to have insulinotropic activity. The invention pertains to the use of GLP-1(7-36) for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Derivatives of glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-1) and especially GLP-1(7-36) have been found to have insulinotropic activity. The invention pertains to the use of GLP-1(7-36) for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward the characterization and cloning of a cAMP-responsive transcription enhancer binding protein (CREB). This protein, CREB, is a transcriptional activator which activates transcription in eukaryotic cells. This CREB protein can be used to increase or decrease production of proteins by stimulating expression of a recombinant gene that is operably-linked to the CRE enhancer element and responsive to cAMP.

Abstract: The invention features a novel recombinant polypeptide that transactivates the somatostatin promoter, the polypeptide being present in pancreatic duct cells and not present in pancreatic .alpha.-cells, the polypeptide being encoded by a gene which encodes a protein on the order of 31 kd.

Abstract: Derivatives of glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-1) and especially GLP-1(7-36) have been found to have insulinotropic activity. The invention pertains to the use of GLP-1(7-36) for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: The invention provides effective analogs of the active GLP-1 peptides, 7-34, 7-35, 7-36, and 7-37, which have improved characteristics for treatment of diabetes Type II. These analogs have amino acid substitutions at positions 7-10 and/or are truncated at the C-terminus and/or contain various other amino acid substitutions in the basic peptide. The analogs may either have an enhanced capacity to stimulate insulin production as compared to glucagon or may exhibit enhanced stability in plasma as compared to GLP-1 (7-37) or both. Either of these properties will enhance the potency of the analog as a therapeutic. Analogs having D-amino acid substitutions in the 7 and 8 positions and/or N-alkylated or N-acylated amino acids in the 7 position are particularly resistant to degradation in vivo.

Abstract: Derivatives of glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-1) have been found to have insulinotropic activity. The invention pertains to such derivatives, and to the use of such derivatives as a potential therapy for Diabetes Mellitus.