USE OF PAX4 IN PANCREATIC CELL PROLIFERATION

摘要

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation and isolation of pancreatic &bgr;-cells, comprising the steps of (a) contacting an adult cell derived from mammalian pancreatic islets or an explant culture of adult pancreatic islets with functional, wild-type Pax4; and (b) detecting and isolating; from said adult cell or explant culture, &bgr;-cells that proliferate in response to the contact with Pax4. Furthermore, the use of functional; wild-type Pax4 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for transplantation and/or tissue replacement is described.