Method For Detecting And Purifying Pancreatic Beta Cells

Abstract

The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that a polypeptide, referred to herein as Betacam, is selectively expressed on the surface of pancreatic islet cells, Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising Betacam or that can be used to detect Betacam. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of detecting (e.g., non-invasively) pancreatic beta cells from a mammalian cell source. Another aspect of the invention is directed to cellular purification of pancreatic beta cells from a heterogeneous cell source of multiple kinds. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of identifying agents that modulate activity of Betacam-In yet another aspect, the invention provides for improved treatment and diagnosis of diabetes.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 198,763, filed on Nov. 7, 2008. The entire teachings of the above application(s) are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Diabetes is a devastating disease that is caused by either the complete destruction of the pancreatic beta-cell (type I, or juvenile diabetes) or the deterioration of the function of such cells (Type II, or adult diabetes). Many people suffer from the diseases, with an estimated number in this country of app. 17.5 million diagnosed. As a percentage of the total population, this figure is rising. Associated health costs as outlined by the American Diabetes Association are estimated at $174 billion, of which one third is accredited to a loss of national productivity. The average cost for health care expenses for a diabetic person is 2.3 fold higher than in absence of diabetes, and is currently set at $11,744 / year.[0003]Temporal curing ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that a polypeptide, referred to herein as Betacam, is selectively expressed on the surface of pancreatic islet cells. Thus, in one aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising Betacam or that can be used to detect Betacam. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of detecting (e.g., non-invasively) pancre...

Problems solved by technology

The normal function of the pancreatic beta cell is to control blood glucose homeostasis, and in absence of such regulation several detrimental effects are observed in patients with the disease, even in the presence of intensive treatment.

Such long-term complications affect the function of the kidneys (nephropathy), eye degeneration (retinopathy), loss of extremities by amputation (vascular complications) and diabetes is furthermore associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and results in a shortened lifespan.

Consequently, a loss of such cells leads to insulin dependence.

Presently, there is no method by which beta cell mass can be assessed in a non-biased manner non-invasively in human subjects.

The amount of donor material reflecting on progressive disease development is therefore significantly limited, and kinetic studies on disease progression in an individual are impossible using this technology.

Following transplantation, there is generally no means to assess the viability and health of the grafted islet cells, as these are inaccessible in the recipient's liver vascular system.

There is no unbiased assessment of the actual viable islet cell mass that engrafts within the liver, and it cannot be followed.

However, in the best case, this only provides a read out of grafting efficiency; it is not able to accurately measure numbers / mass of viable grafted islet cells.

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