Insulin-producing Cells Can Give Rise To Stem-like Cells In-vitro
ScienceDaily (July 21, 2008) — The question of whether insulin-
producing cells of the pancreas can regenerate is key to our
understanding of diabetes, and to the further development of
regenerative therapies against the disease. Dr Rosenberg from the
McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University together
with Dr Bernard Massie from the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de
Montréal (CHUM) have just concluded that they can.
The researchers have shown in vitro that insulin-producing β-cells
(beta cells) can return to a more primitive developmental state
called stem-like cells. This process is known as "dedifferentiation"
and highlights the plasticity of this cell type. This same result has
also been validated for the three additional types of cells that --
along with β-cells -- make up the islets of Langerhans. Together,
these islet cells produce insulin and other hormones in the pancreas.
"The potential for dedifferentiation of all the different cells that
make up the islets of Langerhans is a totally new finding," Dr.
Rosenberg said.
"At this stage, we can't confirm whether the cells' ability to turn
into stem-like cells occur naturally in a healthy pancreas, but the
results are very encouraging for the development of regenerative
therapies to fight diabetes," he continued. The cell's in-vitro
plasticity opens up totally new avenues of investigation into the
underlying causes of diabetes, and will validate the development of
innovative treatments.
This study is the latest step in an extensive regenerative therapies
research program based on a peptide called Islet Neogenesis
Associated Protein, or INGAP. Dr. Rosenberg and his colleagues have
demonstrated INGAP's potential to induce new islet formation in the
pancreas. Clinical trials with INGAP have already demonstrated that
it is possible to regrow new functional insulin-producing cells in
diabetic patients.
"We know that the peptide works, but we are still lacking certain
theoretical bases to explain its mechanism," said Dr.
Rosenberg. "This finding will allow us to move ahead on firmer
ground."
The results of their study have been published in the July issue of
the journal Laboratory Investigation.
Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg is Chief of the Division of Surgical Research,
and Professor of Surgery and Medicine at McGill's Faculty of
Medicine. He holds the A.G. Thompson Chair in Surgical Research at
the MUHC, and also is an investigator in the Endocrinology, Diabetes,
Nutrition and Kidney Diseases Axis of the Research Institute of the
MUHC.
This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
(CIHR) and the Stem Cell Network of Canada. Additional support was
provided with fellowships from the Canadian Diabetes Association/
and the Fonds de Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ). Dr. Rosenberg
was supported as a chercheur national by the FRSQ.
MLA McGill University Health Centre (2008, July 21). Insulin-
producing Cells Can Give Rise To Stem-like Cells In-vitro.
ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 21, 2008, from
http://www.scienced
http://www.scienced
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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