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Stem Cell Related Patent Number US7029915
| Title: | Method for differentiating rat hepatic stem cells to insulin-producing cells | | Inventors: | Yang, Lijun; Gainesville, FL, USA | | Summary: | This invention describes a method of making cells with a pancreatic endocrine cell-like phenotype, via the culturing of hepatic stem cells in a medium comprising RPMI 1640 and greater than 5.5 mM glucose. Methods are described by which such highly purified hepatic stem cells are trans-differentiated into pancreatic endocrine hormone-producing cells by culturing them in vitro in a medium containing high levels of glucose, after which the trans-differentiated cells express insulin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide, but not hepatocyte protein Hep-par. Further disclosed are the means by which the cells synthesize and secrete insulin when stimulated with glucose, a response that is enhanced by nicotinamide. Methods are provided by which transplantation of these trans-differentiated cells into a hyperglycemic animal normalizes blood sugar levels in the animal. Therapeutic applications in reducing or reversing pancreatic hormone insufficiency are included. | | Abstract: | Highly purified hepatic stem cells are trans-differentiated into pancreatic endocrine hormone-producing cells by culturing them in vitro in a medium containing high levels of glucose. These trans-differentiated cells express insulin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide, but not hepatocyte protein Hep-par. When stimulated with glucose, these cells synthesize and secrete insulin, a response enhanced by nicotinamide. Transplantation of these trans-differentiated cells into a hyperglycemic animal normalizes blood sugar levels in the animal. | | US Patent Website: | Click Here for Full Text of Patent | | Title Number: | US7029915 | | Application Number: | US2003000373124 | | Date Filed: | 24/02/2003 | | Date Published: | 18/04/2006 | | Assignee: | University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc., Gainesville, FL, USA |
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