Periostin-induced pancreatic regeneration

Abstract

A method for regenerating pancreatic tissue using recombinant periostin protein, a nucleic acid encoding said periostin and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said periostin are disclosed. Isolation of a nucleic acid encoding a periostin isoform, panc, is also taught.

The invention as described herein: 
     
         1 . A method for regenerating pancreatic tissue by administering periostin. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the periostin is a recombinant periostin having the sequence given in  FIG. 3 , or encoded by a nucleotide having nucleotide sequence panc. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the regenerated pancreatic tissue comprises β-cells. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , for use in the treatment of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the administration is by injection. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the injection is into the intraperitoneal space, into circulation, or directly into the pancreas. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the administration is a surgical insertion of a gel or matrix comprising the periostin. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the regenerated tissue releases insulin. 
     
     
         9 . A method for regenerating pancreatic tissue by administering a nucleotide sequence encoding periostin protein. 
     
     
         10 . A nucleotide sequence encoding periostin protein, the sequence comprising:
 panc;   a nucleotide sequence which is homologous to panc; or   a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes to the complement of panc.   
     
     
         11 . A method for regenerating pancreatic tissue by administering the nucleotide sequence of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . A peptide having a sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         13 . A method for regenerating pancreatic tissue by administering the peptide of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         14 . A vector comprising:
 panc;   a nucleotide sequence which is homologous to panc; or   a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes to the complement of panc.   
     
     
         15 . A host cell comprising the vector according to  claim 14 . 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating, or preventing the onset of, diabetes or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency by administering periostin, the nucleotide sequence of  claim 10 , or the peptide of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         17 . Use of periostin, the nucleotide sequence of  claim 10 , or the peptide of  claim 12  for the treatment of, or for the prevention of the onset of, diabetes or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. 
     
     
         18 . Use of periostin, the nucleotide sequence of  claim 10 , or the peptide of  claim 12  for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of, or for the prevention of the onset of, diabetes or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.