title: The functional performance of microencapsulated human pancreatic islet-derived precursor cells.
abstract: We have examined long-term cultured, human islet-derived stem/precursor cells (hIPC). Whole human islets (HI) were obtained by multi-enzymatic digestion of cadaveric donor pancreases, plated on tissue flasks, and allowed to adhere and expand for several in vitro passages, in order to obtain hIPC. We detected specific stem cell markers (Oct-4, Sox-2, Nanog, ABCG2, Klf-4, CD117) in both intact HI and hIPC. Moreover, hIPC while retaining the expression of Glut-2, Pdx-1, CK-19, and ICA-512, started re-expressing Ngn3, thereby indicating acquisition of a specific pancreatic islet beta cell-oriented phenotype identity. The intrinsic plasticity of hIPC was documented by their ability to differentiate into various germ layer-derived cell phenotypes (ie, osteocytic, adipocytic and neural), including endocrine cells associated with insulin secretory capacity. To render hIPC suitable for transplantation we have enveloped them within our highly purified, alginate-based microcapsules. Upon intraperitoneal graft in NOD/SCID mice we have observed that the microcapsules acted as three-dimensional niches favouring post-transplant hIPC differentiation and acquisition of beta cell-like functional competence.
authors: Laboratory for the Study and Transplant of Pancreatic Islets, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, s.n.c., 06126, Italy. piamontanucci@hotmail.com
authors: Pia
authors: P
authors: Montanucci
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: Pennoni
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Pescara
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Blasi
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Bistoni
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Basta
authors: Riccardo
authors: R
authors: Calafiore
mesh_terms: D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D048430:Cell Shape; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D019089:Stem Cell Factor