title: Islet cell differentiation in liver by combinatorial expression of transcription factors neurogenin-3, BETA2, and RIPE3b1.
abstract: Transcription factors, such as PDX-1, that normally mediate pancreatic development are capable of inducing hepatic progenitor cells to differentiate into cells with pancreatic islet characteristics. We hypothesized that simultaneous expression of multiple transcription factors involved in islet development might enhance the differentiation of hepatic progenitor cells. Bi- or tri-cistronic constructs were generated in hybrid adenovirus/adeno-associated virus (Ad/AAV) vectors containing neurogenin 3 (NGN3), BETA2 (NeuroD), and RIPE3b1 (MafA), each of which plays a role in islet cell differentiation. These vectors efficiently express multiple transcription factors and stimulate insulin promoter activity in a combinatorial manner. When these multi-cistronic constructs were administered in vivo, they induce hepatic expression of islet-specific markers, including PDX-1, insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and islet-amyloid peptide. Administration of the Ad/AAV hybrid vectors to streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice reversed hyperglycemia, consistent the differentiation of functional hepatic insulin-secreting cells. These results indicate that Ad/AAV hybrid vectors can be used to administer combinations of factors that induce islet cell differentiation in hepatic progenitor cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Galter Pavillion, Suite 3-150, 251 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2908, USA.
authors.forename: Young-Duk
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Eun-Jig
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Parham
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yashar
authors.forename: Liza E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Pfaff
authors.forename: So-Youn
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J Larry
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jameson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D051473:Maf Transcription Factors, Large / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D051473:Maf Transcription Factors, Large; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C485160:Mafa protein, mouse; C501008:Neurod1 protein, mouse; C407737:Neurog3 protein, mouse