DIFFERENTIATION OF NON-INSULIN PRODUCING CELLS INTO INSULIN PRODUCING CELLS BY GLP-1 OR EXENDIN-4 AND USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention relates to a population of insulin producing cells mad e by a process comprising contacting non-insulin producing cells with a growth factor selected from the group consisting of GLP-1 or Exendin-4, growth factors having amino acid sequences substantially homologous to GLP-1 or Exendin-4, and fragmets thereof. The present invention also relates to metho ds of differentiating non-insulin producing cells into insulin producing cells and of enriching a population of cells for insulin-producing cells. The present invention also relates to methods of treating diabetes.