Vanderbilt University

Other

The United States Government As Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs

Alvin C Powers

Marcela Brissova

Taylor G Wang

Ales Prokop

Amrutur V Anikumar

Igor Lacik

Chunhua Dai

Diane Saunders

Neil Phillips

In spite of significant efforts to identify &#x3b2;-cell-specific markers for &#x3b2;-cell imaging and purification, progress has been limited. Herein is disclosed a novel biomarker of human pancreatic &#x3b2;-cells, CD39L3 (also known as ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-3 (NTPDase3)). Disclosed are compositions and methods for purifying and imaging &#x3b2;-cell using anti-CD39L3 antibodies.

Application of anti-CD39L3 antibodies for use in disease diagnostics and imaging

The present invention provides a chimeric polypeptide comprising an epitope of GAD65 protein and a structural region comprising a polypeptide of the GAD family, wherein the chimeric polypeptide is a more specific diagnostic for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus than intact GAD65 and produces fewer false positives than intact GAD65. The invention further provides a method of screening a subject for risk of developing IDDM, comprising contacting the chimeric polypeptide of claim 1 with a biological sample containing antibodies from the subject and detecting binding between an antibody in the biological sample and the chimeric polypeptide, the detection of binding indicating the subject is at risk of developing IDDM.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus-specific chimeric polypeptides

The present invention is drawn to a composition of matter comprising high viscosity sodium alginate, cellulose sulfate and a multi-component polycation. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for making capsules, measuring capsule permeability to immunologically-relevant proteins and treating disease in an animal using encapsulated cells. Over one thousand combinations of polyanions and polycations were examined as polymer candidates suitable for encapsulation of living cells and thirty-three pairs were effective. The combination of sodium alginate, cellulose sulfate, poly(methylene-co-guanidine) hydrochloride, calcium chloride, and sodium chloride produced the most desirable results. Pancreatic islets encapsulated in this multicomponent capsule demonstrated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro and reversed diabetes without stimulating immune reaction in mice. The capsule formulation and system of the present invention allows independent adjustments of capsule size, wall thickness, mechanical strength and permeability, and offers distinct advantages for immunoisolating cells.

Encapsulation system for the immunoisolation of living cells

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Brentwood, TN, United States of America

Alvin C Powers