Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Isolation, Culture, and Imaging of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cell Clusters
Published on: May 18, 2014
Synthesis and release of human (pro)insulin in human BM progenitor cells
R Y L Wong1, R Lindeman, B E Tuch
1Department of Haematology, Prince of Wales Hospital and University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Background:
Pancreatic insulin-producing g-cells are permanently destroyed in Type I diabetic patients, leading to hypoglycemica. Various somatic cells have been studied for their ability to deliver insulin as an alternative source of pancreatic g-cells. We investigated the potential of human BM progenitor cells for this purpose.
Methods:
Two BM-derived hematopoietic cell lines, Tf-1 (CD34+) and K562 (CD34m) cell and primary human BM stromal cells were transduced with the human preproinsulin cDNA, and the ability of these cells to synthesize, store and release insulin was analyzed.
Results:
All cells produce and released (pro)insulin at 116-295 wU/10(6) cells/day respectively. No storage of insulin was detected in either cell line or in stromal cells.
Discussion:
We conclude that human BM-derived progenitor cells can be induced to produce and release basal levels of (pro)insulin.
Related Concept Videos
Insulin Secretory Vesicles
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation
Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment primarily uses...
Production of Pharmaceuticals
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

