In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells into the pancreatic lineage.
Embryonic stem (ES) cells represent a potential source of transplantable cells for the treatment of diabetes because of their almost unlimited proliferation capacity and the potential to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. The differentiation conditions significantly affect the development of pancreatic cells from ES cells in vitro. Here, we describe an efficient strategy for the in vitro generation of insulin-producing cells. The protocol includes the spontaneous generation of multilineage progenitor cells and their differentiation induction by growth and extracellular matrix factors into C-peptide/insulin-positive islet-like clusters. The differentiated cells release insulin in response to high glucose concentrations. No specific selection for nestin-positive cells is performed at any time of ES cell differentiation.
Blyszczuk
Przemyslaw
P
In Vitro Differentiation Group Institute, Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben, Germany.
Wobus
Anna M
AM
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*