[Expression of nestin and neurogenin 3 in the human fetal pancreas].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression of nestin and neurogenin 3 (Ngn3), the markers of pancreatic stem cells, in the human fetal pancreas.


METHODS
The human fetal pancreas tissue of 12 and 14 weeks were examined for the expression of nestin and Ngn3 using the techniques of immunofluorescence dye and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Both nestin and Ngn3 expressed widely in 12 and 14 weeks before in human fetal pancreatic tissue. In these positive cells there was no co-expressing insulin or glucagon. There were nestin and Ngn3 co-expressing cells in ducts but not in the islets. The results of RT-PCR also indicated the expression of nestin and Ngn3.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no expression of the markers of mature endocrine cells in the nestin and Ngn3 positive cells, and they were the marks of no-differentiation cells in the human fetal pancreatic tissue.
Zheng
Zong-mei
ZM
Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100083, China.
Chen
Dong-ming
DM
Li
Ling-song
LS
Li
Jian-ning
JN
Shen
Li
L
Lu
Ai-li
AL
Wang
Shu-ling
SL
Bao
Wei-han
WH
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D064231:Nestin; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D064231:Nestin; C577484:NES protein, human; C498695:NEUROG3 protein, human