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Updated: May 26, 2026
Efficient Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells to NKX6-1+ Pancreatic Progenitors
Published on: March 7, 2017
[C-kit is a marker of human pancreatic endocrinocyte stem cells]
Insights
CD 117 (C-kit) marks progenitor cells in the developing human pancreas. These C-kit positive cells are common precursors for both A- and B-cells in pancreatic islets, persisting postnatally.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Endocrinology
- Cell biology
Context:
- The human pancreas develops intricate islet structures essential for metabolic regulation.
- Identifying progenitor cells is crucial for understanding pancreatic development and disease.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of CD 117 (C-kit) as a marker for pancreatic progenitor cells during human prenatal development.
- To trace the origin and differentiation of C-kit expressing cells within the developing pancreas.
Summary:
- CD 117 (C-kit) expression was analyzed in human pancreata from 4 to 28 weeks gestation and up to 2 months postnatally.
- C-kit positive cells first appeared in ductal epithelium at 8.5 weeks gestation, subsequently migrating to form early islets by 11.5 weeks.
- These progenitor cells expressed glucagon and proinsulin mRNA early on, followed by insulin expression, indicating a common origin for A- and B-cells.
Impact:
- Establishes CD 117 (C-kit) as a key marker for a common progenitor of pancreatic A- and B-cells.
- Provides insights into the cellular origins of insulin-producing (B) and glucagon-producing (A) cells.
- Suggests that these progenitor cells and their potential are maintained in the pancreas after birth.
Abstract:
The aim of our study was to analyze the expression of one of the markers of progenitor cell of different cell types - CD 117 (C-kit) - in human pancreas during prenatal development. The pancreas of human embryos and fetuses at 4-28 weeks of gestation as well as of infants aged up to 2nd postnatal month, was studied. In histological sections, the immunocytochemical reactions were performed with the antibodies against C-kit, insulin and glucagon. In situ hybridization was used for detection of proinsulin mRNA. First cells expressing C-kit were found in human pancreas at 8.5 weeks of gestation among ductal epithelial cells. At 11.5 weeks of gestation these cells were found to segregate from the ductal epithelium and start to form islets. From 8.5 weeks of gestation C-kit positive cells started to express glucagon and proinsulin mRNA, and after 11.5 weeks they also expressed insulin. Islet C-kit positive cells coexpressing both glucagon and insulin, were also found after the birth. It may be concluded that C-kit positive endocrinocyte progenitor cells are common for pancreatic islet A- and B-cells and they are preserved in he islets after the birth.
