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Brain Cells Form Insulin-Producing Cells

Posted: Thursday, May 05, 2005

Scientists from Stanford University in California have identified a method to induce brain-derived human neural progenitor cells to form insulin-producing cells (IPCs).

In the April issue of Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine, Dr. Seung K. Kim and colleagues note that ."

The researchers observed that human neural progenitor cells, exposed to a series of chemical signals that normally regulate pancreatic islet development, form IPCs. Moreover, Dr. Kim told Reuters Health that "our tests show that these IPCs respond appropriately to glucose stimulation by releasing insulin."

Following transplantation into mice, IPCs released insulin C-peptide upon glucose stimulation, continued to produce insulin for several weeks, and did not form detectable tumors. However, the level of insulin production by IPCs is not yet sufficient to affect the mice or to rescue experimental diabetes, the authors emphasize.

"We are a long way from thinking about transplanting these IPCs in humans, and much work remains before we can consider this," Dr. Kim pointed out. "We are trying to identify methods to increase the islet-like features of IPCs, particularly their insulin production, insulin storage, and regulated insulin secretion."

Source: Diabetes In Control.com: