Use of osteoprotegerin (OPG) to increase human pancreatic beta cell survival and proliferation

摘要

It is disclosed herein that osteoprotegerin increases human beta cell proliferation and survival. Methods are provided for increasing beta cell proliferation, but contacting a beta cell with an effective amount of osteoprotegerin, a functional fragment, variant or fusion protein thereof. Methods are also provided for treating a human subject with diabetes, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of osteoprotegerin, functional variant or fusion protein thereof.