DOWNREGULATION OF miR-7 FOR PROMOTION OF BETA CELL DIFFERENTIATION AND INSULIN PRODUCTION

An isolated population of cells comprising an exogenous agent for downregulating an activity or expression of miR-7, wherein said cells secrete insulin.

5-6. (canceled)

A method of treating a medical condition associated with an insulin deficiency in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an agent for downregulating an activity or expression of miR-7, thereby treating the medical condition associated with the insulin deficiency.

10-11. (canceled)

15-16. (canceled)

A method of increasing insulin content in beta cells or stem cells, the method comprising expressing in said beta cells or stem cells a target gene of miR-7 selected from the group consisting of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), GLI family zinc finger 3 (GLI3), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), Sp1 transcription factor (SP1), O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) transferase (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:polypeptide-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase) (OGT), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and one cut homeobox 2 (ONECUT2), thereby increasing said insulin content in said beta cells or stem cells.

22-25. (canceled)

An isolated population of beta cells or stem cells exogenously expressing a target gene of miR-7 selected from the group consisting of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), GLI family zinc finger 3 (GLI3), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), Sp1 transcription factor (SP1), O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) transferase (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:polypeptide-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase) (OGT), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and one cut homeobox 2 (ONECUT2).

(canceled)

32-33. (canceled)

37-38. (canceled)