Other

University of Colorado

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

John C Hutton

Howard R Davidson

Jan Jensen

Richard E O'Brien

Xiaoling Qu

Janet M Wenzlau

Seija Hackl

The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that a polypeptide, referred to herein as Betacam, is selectively expressed on the surface of pancreatic islet cells. Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising Betacam or that can be used to detect Betacam. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of detecting (e.g., non-invasively) pancreatic beta cells from a mammalian cell source. Another aspect of the invention is directed to cellular purification of pancreatic beta cells from a heterogeneous cell source of multiple kinds. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of identifying agents that modulate activity of Betacam. In yet another aspect, the invention provides for improved treatment and diagnosis of diabetes.

Method for detecting and purifying pancreatic beta cells

A dredging system agitates the bottom sediment of a waterway to remove particles and oxygenate the water. The system diffuses air through a grid mounted on a waterway floor, raising particle clouds. The particle clouds are transported downstream by water currents while releasing dissolved oxygen throughout the water column. The method of particle removal and oxygenation is used in shallow depths, less than thirty-three feet (2 bars) with minimum favorable water currents of one-half to one knot. The grid is used for diffusion of air to alleviate hypoxic environments in depths less than sixty-six feet (5 bars).

Air cloud particle suspension dredge

Described is the identification of ZnT8 as an autoantigen target in type I autoimmune diabetes (T1D), other autoimmune disease, and other diabetes-linked diseases and conditions. Also described are a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic tools and methods based on this discovery. The identification of genetic variation in ZnT8 as an important player in the initiation of the disease process and the progression of autoimmunity to clinical diabetes is disclosed.

Diagnostic and therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases and uses thereof

A method and compositions for detecting autoimmunity to islet glucose-6-phosphatase related protein (IGRP). Detection of IGRP autoantibodies alone, and in combination with other molecules such as the 65-kDa form of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), insulin and insulin granule membrane proteins ICA512 (IA-2) and phogrin (IA2&#x3b2;) auto-antigens, provides an effective and reliable chemical assay for the diagnosis of autoimmune (type 1) diabetes. Additionally, this invention provides therapeutic regimens based on IGRP and related molecules for the amelioration of the diabetic clinical condition. Therefore, IGRP alone or in combination with other autioimmune diabetes associated antigens such as insulin, IA-2 and GAD, is useful in the prediction (diagnosis), treatment (therapy), and prevention (prophylaxis) of diabetes.

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Denver, CO, United States of America

John C Hutton