title: Generation of islet-like cell aggregates from human non-pancreatic cancer cell lines.
abstract: To explore a novel source for the derivation of islets, we examined the differentiation potential of human non-pancreatic cancer cell lines, HeLa (cervical carcinoma cell line) and MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line). These cells were subjected to a serum-free, three-step sequential differentiation protocol which gave two distinct cell populations: single cells and cellular aggregates. Subsequent analysis confirmed their identity as pancreatic acinar cells and islet-like cell aggregates (ICAs), as evidenced by amylase secretion and diphenylthiocarbazone staining respectively. Reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunocytochemistry assessment of the ICAs revealed the expression of pancreatic specific markers Ngn-3, Glut-2, Pax-6 and Isl-1. These ICAs secreted insulin in response to glucose challenge, confirming their functionality. We propose that ICAs generated from HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines could form a promising in vitro platform of human islet equivalents (hIEQs) for diabetes research.
authors.affiliation: School of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal University, Bangalore, 560065, India.
authors.forename: Mohammad Mahboob
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kanafi
authors.forename: Murali Krishna
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Mamidi
authors.forename: Shalini Kashipathi
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sureshbabu
authors.forename: Pradnya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shahani
authors.forename: Chandravanshi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bhawna
authors.forename: Sudha R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Warrier
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhonde
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003470:Culture Media; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D000681:Amylases; D005947:Glucose