title: Direct Reprogramming for Pancreatic Beta-Cells Using Key Developmental Genes.
abstract: Direct reprogramming is a promising approach for regenerative medicine whereby one cell type is directly converted into another without going through a multipotent or pluripotent stage. This reprogramming approach has been extensively explored for the generation of functional insulin-secreting cells from non-beta-cells with the aim of developing novel cell therapies for the treatment of people with diabetes lacking sufficient endogenous beta-cells. A common approach for such conversion studies is the introduction of key regulators that are important in controlling beta-cell development and maintenance. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in the field of beta-cell reprogramming and discuss the challenges of creating functional and long-lasting beta-cells.
authors.affiliation: Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavelti-Weder
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Weida
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zumsteg
authors.affiliation: Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stemann
authors.affiliation: Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Takatsugu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonner-Weir
authors.affiliation: Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weir
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
keywords: Beta-cells; Cell fate conversion; Developmental regulators; Direct reprogramming