Compositions, Systems and Methods for Obtaining Insulin-Producing Cells
Ricardo Pastori, Valia Bravo-Egana, Samuel Rosero, Juan Dominguez-Bendala, Camillo Ricordi and Antonello Pileggi
Problem
Diabetic patients do not have sufficient cell function and/or mass of insulin-producing cells. Current treatment of these patients is by insulin injections, which introduces insulin into the blood, but provides no physiological control throughout the day. This can result in complications that are associated with high medical costs and death rates.
Solution
The novel finding that certain microRNAs can trigger the formation and proliferation of insulin-producing cells points to a treatment approach that would result in sufficient levels of insulin, as well as its physiological control. Therapies that arise from this invention are expected to improve the treatment of diabetes in millions of affected people. Such therapies might also reduce morbidity and mortality of diabetes.
Competitive Advantage
This is a novel approach to generate insulin-producing cells. In addition, function may be restored to existing cells which are no longer producing insulin. No therapeutic of this kind is currently offered in the marketplace.
Applications
The microRNAs identified and their target genes can be used for both clinical and basic science applications.
Patent Status
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/084283 was filed on November 21, 2008 and WO 2009/067644 was published 28 May 2009.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking a commercialization partnership for an innovative approach to the treatment of diabetes.
About the Inventors
Ricardo Pastori, Ph.D., is Research Professor of Medicine, Immunology, and Microbiology and the Director of the Molecular Biology Laboratory at the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
Valia Bravo-Egana, Ph.D., is a Research Associate at the DRI.
Samuel Rosero, M.D., is a Post-doctoral Associate at the DRI.
Juan Dominguez-Bendala, Ph.D., is Director of Stem Cell Development for Translational Research at the DRI.
Dr. Camillo Ricordi, is Stacy Joy Goodman Chair, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Professor of Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology and Immunology, Chief of the Division of Cellular Transplantation, Department of Surgery and the Scientific Director and Chief Academic Officer of the DRI.
Antonello Pileggi, M.D., Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery and the Director of Pre-clinical Cell Processing and Translational Models at the Diabetes Research Institute.
Selected References
Bravo-Egana V, Rosero S, Damris Molano RD, Pileggi A, Ricordi C, Dominguez-Bendala J, Pastori RL. Quantitative differential expression analysis reveals miR-7 as major islet microRNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008, 366:922-6.
