title: Extracellular control of pancreatic differentiation.
abstract: Our understanding of basic mechanisms of differentiation has evolved rapidly in the last two decades. Spurred by advances in molecular biology and other research technologies, these advances have become of heightened importance with the recent advent of the possibility of engineering different types of stem cells into needed cell and tissue sources. As pediatric surgeons, we have the potential to play a key role in interfacing between the basic science necessary to understand differentiation processes, and its application at the bedside. In this brief article, we outline our in-depth analysis of mechanisms of basic differentiation of pancreatic precursor cells in an effort to better understand ways in which we can engineer a stem cell pool to form mature pancreatic cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Research, The Children's Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.
authors.forename: Sheilendra S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: George K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Gittes
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012176:Retinoids / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051785:Smad Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012176:Retinoids; D051785:Smad Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D028341:Activins; D005934:Glucagon