Patent ID: 8772233
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: A61K,A61P,C12N,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for promoting regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells in a mammal having impaired beta-cell function, comprising the step of: administering a neurturin product to said mammal in an amount sufficient to increase neurturin concentration relative to an untreated mammal having impaired beta-cell function, wherein the number of functional beta-cells in said mammal administered the neurturin product are increased; wherein the neurturin product comprises a biologically active neurturin polypeptide; wherein the biologically active neurturin polypeptide is capable of dimerizing with another neurturin polypeptide and activating RET signaling; and wherein the biologically active neurturin polypeptide shares at least 90% sequence identity with: a) the human neurturin precursor protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7; or b) the mature neurturin protein product that results from the cleavage of the human neurturin protein precursor having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7.