Pancreatic stem cells differentiation and allograft for the treatment of diabetes

Abstract

Objective To investigate the potential of pancreatic stem cells (PSCs) directed differentiation in vitro, and to evaluate the effects of differentiated PSCs allograft on the treatment of diabetes.Methods The PSCs of adult Wistar rats were separated and purified in vitro. The surface of PSCs was determined by immunofluorescence staining, and then it was stimulated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and nicotinamide to induce directed differentiation. Dithizone dyeing was used to determine the islet-like cells after induction, and ELISA staining method was used to detect the insulin levels. Streptozotocin peritoneal injection was used to induce the diabetic rat mode. 40 rats were randomly allocated into pancreatic islet cells allograft group (experiment group) and placebo group. The serum insulin and glucose levels 1 d before transplantation and 1, 2, 3, 4 week after transplantation were measured. Results PSCs of adult Wistar rats were successfully obtained, and the expression of CK19, Pdx-1 and Nestin on cell surface was positive. Dithizone dyeing for directed differentiation cells showed brownish red color. The cells could express and secrete insulin after hyperglycaemia stimulation. The serum insulin and glucose levels 4 week after transplantation were (11.41 ±1.52) mU/L and (8.22 ± 2.7) mmol/L, which were (9.30 ± 1.56) mU/L and (12.23 ± 3.8) mmol/L in the placebo group, and difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). Conclusions PSCs can be induced and directed differentiated in vitro into islet-like clusters with insulin secretion function. And its allograft has the potential for the treatment of diabetes. Key words: Pancreatic; Stem cells; Cell differentiation; Homograft; Transplantation