Treatment for Diabetes

Abstract

Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-α, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-α gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

1 .- 3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . A method for providing a patient with diabetes in need thereof with a population of mature insulin-secreting beta cells, said method comprising:
 transplanting into said patient cultured pancreatic islets which have been provided with a sufficient amount of at least one receptor ligand selected from the group consisting of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an epidermal growth factor receptor ligand to induce proliferation of mature insulin-secreting beta cells of said islet prior to said transplanting.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said diabetes is Type 2 diabetes. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said gastrin/CCK receptor ligand is a gastrin. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said epidermal growth receptor ligand is TGF-α or an EGF selected from the group consisting of EGF1-53, EGF1-48, or its EGF1-47 or EGF1-49 congener. 
   
   
       8 .- 18 . (canceled)