β-Cell Regeneration Is Driven by Pancreatic Plasticity

The pancreas has been considered a non-regenerative organ. β cells lost in diabetes are not replaced due to the inability of the pancreas to regenerate. However, ample evidence generated in the last few decades using murine models has demonstrated that the pancreas has a remarkable plasticity wherein differentiated cells can change cell fate toward a β-like cell phenotype. Although this process is observed after using rather artificial stimuli and the conversion efficiency is very limited, these findings have shed some light on novel pathways for β-cell regeneration. In this chapter, we will summarize the different cellular interconversion processes described to date, the experimental details and molecular regulation of such interconversions, and the genomic technologies that have allowed the identification of potential new ways to generate β cells.