Induction differentiation of rabbit adipose‑derived stromal cells into insulin‑producing cells in vitro

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with the ability to differentiate into insulin‑producing cells (IPCs) have become the most promising means of therapy for diabetes mellitus. Adipose‑derived stromal cells (AdSCs), having similar characteristics to those of derived MSCs, are known to exhibit extensive proliferation potential and are able to undergo multi‑lineage differentiation. Whether AdSCs can differentiate into insulin‑producing cells (IPCs), however, has not been sufficiently elucidated. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate the in vitro differentiation of rabbit (r)AdSCs into IPCs, which may provide an abundant source of cells to treat diabetes. rADSCs were obtained from liposuction aspirates and then induced with glucagon‑like peptide‑1 and nicotinamide to differentiate into insulin‑secreting cells. Differentiation was evaluated by the analysis of morphology, dithizone (DTZ) staining, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR), western blot analysis and a glucose challenge assay with detection of insulin secretion by ELISA. Morphological phase‑contrast microscopic observation revealed typical islet‑like cell clusters following 21 days of differentiation. DTZ staining also showed that differentiated cells were positive and undifferentiated cells were negative for insulin production. Furthermore, RT‑PCR analysis confirmed the mRNA expression of insulin, PDX1 and GLUT2 in differentiated cells. Western blot analysis showed that insulin was expressed by the differentiated cells. The glucose challenge assay showed that insulin secretion of the IPCs was in a glucose dependent manner. These findings implied that AdSCs are able to differentiate into IPC in vitro, and are therefore promising candidates for the treatment of diabetes.