The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 09, 2004
Joel E. Habener, Newton Centre, MA (US);
Henryk Zulewski, Binningen, CH;
Elizabeth J. Abraham, Andover, MA (US);
Mario Vallejo, Madrid, ES;
Denise L. Faustman, Weston, MA (US);
Melissa K. Thomas, Boston, MA (US);
Joel E. Habener, Newton Centre, MA (US);
Henryk Zulewski, Binningen, CH;
Elizabeth J. Abraham, Andover, MA (US);
Mario Vallejo, Madrid, ES;
Denise L. Faustman, Weston, MA (US);
Melissa K. Thomas, Boston, MA (US);
The General Hospital Corporation, Boston, MA (US);
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.