Label-retaining cells in the rat pancreas: location and differentiation potential in vitro.
Islets of Langerhans are micro-organs scattered throughout the pancreas that contain insulin-producing cells, called beta-cells. Although new light has been recently shed on beta-cell development, information on the phenotype and location of beta-stem cells remains scarce. Here, we provide evidence that beta-stem cells are slow-cycling cells located within and around the islets of Langerhans. First, using a bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse/chase approach, we detected BrdU-retaining cells in vivo in the islet area of rat pancreata. These cells were negative for endocrine markers but expressed Pdx1, a marker for pancreatic stem cells. Next, using an in vitro model that mimicked endocrine cell development, we found that BrdU-retaining cells were capable of differentiating into beta-cells. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that BrdU retention is a property of beta-stem cells.
Duvillié
Bertrand
B
INSERM U457 and E0363, Hospital R. Debré, Paris, France. duvillie@idf.inserm.fr
Attali
Myriam
M
Aiello
Virginie
V
Quemeneur
Eric
E
Scharfmann
Raphael
R
D000818:Animals; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology
D000963:Antimetabolites; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine