Induction of insulin-producing cells from umbilical cord blood-derived stromal cells by activation of the c-Met/HGF axis.
Efficient and effective therapies are required for diabetes mellitus. The use of adult stem cells for treating diabetes represents a major focus of current research. We have attempted to differentiate adult stem cells produced from umbilical cord blood-derived stromal cells into insulin-producing cells (IPCs). By activating the c-Met/HGF axis through temporal hypoxia treatment and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) supplementation, our protocol resulted in the differentiation of cells into functional pancreatic endocrine cells with increased viability. Glucose stimulation test results showed that significantly greater amounts of C-peptide and insulin were released from the differentiated cells than from undifferentiated cells. These IPCs were capable of reversing the hyperglycemia of diabetic mice. In conclusion, targeting the c-Met/HGF axis can be considered an effective and efficient means of obtaining IPCs from adult stem cells.
State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.|Institute of Microbiology, Seoul National University, 151-742, Seoul, South Korea.
Bo
B
Sun
Laboratory of Biophysics, School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 151-742, Seoul, South Korea.
Rui
R
Liu
State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
Zhong-Dang
ZD
Xiao
c-Met/HGF axis; hypoxia; insulin-producing cells; umbilical cord blood-derived stromal cells