Abstract: Compositions and methods for islet neogenesis therapy comprising an EGF and a gastrin in combination with immune suppression, and for treating or preventing early stage diabetes with a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an immunosuppressant are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for islet neogenesis therapy comprising an EGF and a gastrin in combination with immune suppression, and for treating or preventing early stage diabetes with a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an immunosuppressant are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-?, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-? gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for islet neogenesis therapy comprising a member of a group of factors that complement a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, with formulations, devices and methods for sustained release delivery and for local delivery to target organs.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for achieving in vivo islet cell regeneration in subjects with preexisting diabetes. The methods comprise short term treatment with a composition having a gastrin/cholecystokinin receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand. Treatment with such a composition for a short term resulted in a prolonged period of increased insulin release, decreased fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance, the prolonged efficacy, the period being considered from the time of cessation of treatment.

Abstract: Forms of epidermal growth factor that are resistant to proteolysis, and gene sequences encoding these forms and having codons optimized for usage by an industrial production organism, are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for achieving in vivo islet cell regeneration in subjects with preexisting diabetes. The methods comprise short term treatment with a composition having a gastrin/cholecystokinin receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand. Treatment with such a composition for a short term resulted in a prolonged period of increased insulin release, decreased fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance, the prolonged efficacy, the period being considered from the time of cessation of treatment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-&agr; gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for islet neogenesis therapy comprising a member of a group of factors that complement a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, with formulations, devices and methods for sustained release delivery and for local delivery to target organs.

Abstract: Proliferating pancreatic islet cells obtained by the method of isolating a population of cells that preferably includes predominantly islet precursor cells that express one or more marker associated with an islet precursor cell and providing the precursor cells with one or more a pancreatic differentiation agent so that a population of cells is obtained that has a high proportion of cells with phenotypic characteristics of functional pancreatic islet &bgr;-cells. Optionally, the precursor cells are pretreated by providing them with one or more cell expansion agent to increase the number of cells in the population prior to differentiation. The pancreatic differentiation agent composition comprises a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for islet neogenesis therapy comprising an EGF and a gastrin in combination with immune suppression, and for treating or preventing early stage diabetes with a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an immunosuppressant are provided.

Abstract: Forms of epidermal growth factor that are resistant to proteolysis, and gene sequences encoding these forms and having codons optimized for usage by an industrial production organism, are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for measuring proteasome activity in biological samples. More particularly, then invention relates to methods for monitoring drug action following in vivo administration of a proteasome inhibitor. The invention provides methods and kits for monitoring pharmacodynamic drug action and for determining dose regimen for a proteasome inhibitor. The invention also provides methods for determining baseline proteasome activity in a mammal.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-&agr; gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

Abstract: This invention is directed to treating ischemia by administering proteasome inhibitors, ubiquitin pathway inhibitors, agents that interfere with the activation of NF-&kgr;B via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for achieving in vivo islet cell regeneration in subjects with preexisting diabetes. The methods comprise short term treatment with a composition having a gastrin/cholecystokinin receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand. Treatment with such a composition for a short term resulted in a prolonged period of increased insulin release, decreased fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance, the prolonged efficacy, the period being considered from the time of cessation of treatment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-&agr; gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

Abstract: This invention is directed to treating ischemia by administering proteasome inhibitors, ubiquitin pathway inhibitors, agents that interfere with the activation of NF-&kgr;B via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for treating diabetes mellitus by administering composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g. a gastrin, and an EGF receptor ligand, e.g. TGF&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g. a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g. a TGF&agr; gene.

Abstract: This invention is directed to treating ischemia by administering proteasome inhibitors, ubiquitin pathway inhibitors, agents that interfere with the activation of NF-&kgr;B via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway, or mixtures thereof.