The General Hospital Corporation

University of Washington

Vanderbilt University

Icos Corporation

Massachusetts General Hospital Corporation

Viacell, Inc.

Melissa K Thomas

Joel F Habener

Elizabeth J Abraham

Mario Vallejo

Henryk Zulewski

Denise L Faustman

Joseph A Beavo

William K Sonnenburg

Kate Loughney

Jackie D Corbin

Sharron H Francis

Linda M McAllister-Lucas

Ann Kadlecek

Kenneth M Ferguson

Joel E Habener

Andreas Lechner

Hendrik Zulewski

Constanze Banz

Anna Louise Nolan

Colin A Leech

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.

Stem cells of the islets of langerhans and their use in treating diabetes mellitus

The present invention is directed to the use of Bridge-1 polynucleotides and Bridge-1 polypeptides, as well as activators and inhibitors of Bridge-1 activity, in the treatment of Bridge-1 mediated disorders, including diabetes.

Use of Bridge-1 and activators and inhibitors thereof in the treatment of insulin deficiency and diabetes

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.

Methods to stimulate insulin production by pancreatic &#x3b2;-cells

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.

Stem cells of the islets of Langerhans and their use in treating diabetes mellitus

Stem cells and their use in transplantation

Method of pre-inducing a state of immune tolerance before organ transplantation

Methods to stimulate insulin production by pancreatic beta-cells

Method of transplanting in a mammal and treating diabetes mellitus by administering a pseudo-islet like aggregate differentiated from a nestin-positive pancreatic stem cell

The present invention provides novel purified and isolated nucleotide sequences encoding the cGMP-binding, cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase designated cGB-PDE. Also provided by the invention are methods and materials for the recombinant production of cGB-PDE polypeptide products and methods for identifying compounds which modulate the enzymatic activity of cGB-PDE polypeptides.

Cyclic GMP-binding, cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase materials and

The present invention provides novel purified and isolated nucleotide sequences encoding the cGMP-binding, cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase designated cGB-PDE. Antibodies to the cGMP-binding, cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase are disclosed. Also provided by the invention are methods and materials for the recombinant production of cGB-PDE polypeptide products and methods for identifying compounds which modulate the enzymatic activity of cGB-PDE polypeptides.

Antibodies to cGMP-binding, cGMP-specific phospodiesterase

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Boston, MA, United States of America

Melissa K Thomas