Nestin expression in neoplastic, fetal, and adult pancreatic endocrine cells.
OBJECTIVE
Pancreatic endocrine cells are multifunctional, differentiated cells originating from the differentiation of foregut endodermal precursors. Identification and transplantation of endocrine precursor cells appear to be the ultimate solution to diabetes mellitus, which requires lifelong treatment. Knowledge about specific markers that are used in the determination of precursor cells is limited.


METHODS
In this study, the expression of nestin in well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (n = 17) was investigated. In addition, developmental characteristics of nestin expression in the fetal (n = 5) and adult pancreas (n = 5) were examined.


RESULTS
Findings indicated that nestin is expressed in proliferating and metabolically active cells, such as endothelium, independent of developmental and neoplastic processes, rather than endocrine precursor cells of the pancreas.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, it was concluded that nestin cannot be used as the only marker to identify pancreatic endocrine cell precursors for transplantation.
Sökmensüer
Lale Karakoç
LK
Department of Histology & Embryology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Sökmensüer
Cenk
C
D000328:Adult; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D064231:Nestin; D010179:Pancreas / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*
D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C577484:NES protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D064231:Nestin