Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Mature beta-cells and nerve cells share many functional similarities despite originating from different embryonic germ layers. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of neural stem cells (NSCs), isolated from foetal rat brain, as a starting material from which to generate functionally responsive, insulin-containing cells. Our results demonstrated that NSCs can be significantly expanded in vitro and can be induced to express increased preproinsulin mRNA levels. In addition, these NSC-derived cells expressed transcriptional and functional elements associated with a mature beta-cell phenotype. The differentiated cells showed functional responses typical of pancreatic beta-cells, including glucose-dependent increases in metabolism and rapid elevations in intracellular Ca(2+) in response to the sulphonylurea tolbutamide or to increased glucose concentration. These results suggest that NSCs may have potential as a starting material from which to generate beta-cell surrogates for the treatment of patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.11.062

Type

Journal article

Journal

Biochem Biophys Res Commun

Publication Date

21/01/2005

Volume

326

Pages

570 - 577

Keywords

Animals, Calcium, Cell Differentiation, Glucose, Insulin, Islets of Langerhans, Male, Multipotent Stem Cells, Proinsulin, Prosencephalon, Rats, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Transcription Factors