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Efficient Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells to NKX6-1+ Pancreatic Progenitors
Published on: March 7, 2017
Insulin expressing cells from differentiated embryonic stem cells are not beta cells
S Sipione1, A Eshpeter2, J G Lyon2
1Department of Biochemistry, 460 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H7, Canada.
Diabetologia
|February 18, 2004
Summary
Embryonic stem cells differentiated in vitro do not produce functional beta cells for diabetes treatment. Further research is needed to develop true beta cells from stem cells for transplantation therapies.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Endocrinology
- Diabetes research
Background:
- Embryonic stem (ES) cells are a potential source for Type 1 diabetes transplantation therapy.
- Previous studies on ES cell differentiation into beta cells have yielded controversial results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize insulin-expressing cells derived from ES cells in vitro.
- To evaluate their suitability for treating diabetes via transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR, and functional assays were used for characterization.
- Reporter gene assays assessed Insulin I promoter activity.
- ES cell-derived cultures were transplanted into diabetic mice (STZ-treated SCID-beige).
Main Results:
- Insulin-positive cells lacked beta-cell granules and C-peptide immunoreactivity; many were apoptotic.
- Neurons and neuronal precursors were the primary insulin producers.
- Transplanted cells formed teratomas and did not reverse hyperglycemia.
Conclusions:
- In vitro-differentiated ES cells do not yield functional beta cells.
- Alternative protocols focusing on endodermal lineage enrichment are necessary for generating true beta cells.
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