Differentiation of non-insulin producing cells into insulin producing cells by GLP-1 or exendin-4 and uses thereof

Patent Number: 7056734

This patent is useful for entities seeking to treat diabetes or other pancreatic abnormalities. The patent has very broad claims, all centered around the ability of GLP and Exendin-4 to induce differentiation of cells into insulin produce or amylase producing cells. The patent has 8 independent claims. The first four claims are directed towards use of GLP-1 or related molecules to make either non-insulin producing cells, or amylase producing cells, into insulin producing cells. The other 4 independent claims are directed towards using Exendin-4 for making either non-insulin producing cells, or amylase producing cells, into insulin producing cells. What is interesting is that the dependent claims include a variety of cells as "non-insulin producing". This patent is very interesting since others have also published that GLP-1 can induce differentiation into insulin producing cells ( Yue F et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 differentiation of primate embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells. Tissue Eng. 2006 Aug;12(8):2105-16.) ( Bai L et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 enhances production of insulin in insulin-producing cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. J Endocrinol. 2005 Aug;186(2):343-52) ( Abraham EJ et al. Insulinotropic hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 differentiation of human pancreatic islet-derived progenitor cells into insulin-producing cells. Endocrinology. 2002 Aug;143(8):3152-61. ). If indeed these GLP-1 and exendin-4 may actually work in vivo for stimulation of stem cells, it may be worthwhile to combine systemic administration of these agents with exogenous sources of stem cells such as cord blood.

View this patent on the USPTO website.