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Updated: May 29, 2026
In Vitro Pancreas Organogenesis from Dispersed Mouse Embryonic Progenitors
Published on: July 19, 2014
Comparison of murine embryonic pancreatic development in vitro and in vivo
Fengxia Ma1, Cécile Haumaitre, Fang Chen
1State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China.
Objectives:
The purpose of the present study was to compare the development of murine embryonic pancreas in vitro and in vivo.
Methods:
Murine embryonic pancreas at 12.5 days of gestation was dissected and cultured at the air-medium interface. At 1, 3, and 7 days of culture, the characteristics of cultured murine pancreas were assayed and compared with that of pancreas in vivo.
Results:
The percentage of pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) and neurogenin 3 (Ngn3)-positive cells in pancreas cultured for 1 and 3 days was higher than that of pancreas at 13.5 and 15.5 days of gestation. Importantly, in comparison with embryonic pancreas in vivo, more insulin and glucagon-producing cells were developed in cultured pancreas. Furthermore, insulin was released in a regulated manner in response to glucose. The expressional kinetics of pancreatic markers of cultured pancreas was coincident with that of pancreas in vivo.
Conclusions:
The development of the murine pancreas cultured at the air-medium interface mimicked that of pancreas in vivo. Our simple culture system might offer the potential of a source of mature β cells.
Insights
Murine embryonic pancreas cultured in vitro successfully mimicked in vivo development, yielding more insulin-producing cells. This simple culture system shows potential for generating mature beta cells.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Endocrinology
- Stem cell research
Background:
- The pancreas is crucial for metabolic regulation, producing hormones like insulin and glucagon.
- Understanding embryonic pancreas development is key to regenerative medicine and treating diabetes.
- In vitro models are needed to study pancreatic development and cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the developmental trajectory of murine embryonic pancreas in vitro versus in vivo.
- To evaluate the potential of a simple air-medium interface culture system for pancreatic development.
Main Methods:
- Murine embryonic pancreas (12.5 days gestation) was dissected and cultured at an air-medium interface.
- Pancreatic characteristics were assessed at 1, 3, and 7 days of culture.
- Comparisons were made with embryonic pancreas developing in vivo at corresponding gestational ages.
Main Results:
- Cultured pancreas showed increased pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) and neurogenin 3 (Ngn3)-positive cells compared to in vivo controls.
- More insulin and glucagon-producing cells developed in vitro than in vivo.
- Insulin release from cultured cells was glucose-regulated, and marker expression kinetics matched in vivo development.
Conclusions:
- The air-medium interface culture system effectively recapitulates murine embryonic pancreas development in vivo.
- This culture method shows promise as a source for generating mature, functional beta cells for therapeutic applications.
