New Method Generates Large Numbers of Insulin-Secreting Beta Cells

Researchers have found that when they treat mouse fibroblasts with a unique cocktail of molecules and reprogramming factors, the cells transform into endoderm-like cells. Then, when they treat these new cells with other compounds, they transform into pancreatic progenitor-like cells (PPLCs). Researchers also discovered that they could coax PPLCs cultured in laboratory dishes to mature into insulin-secreting cells. When the team transplanted PPLCs into mice with hyperglycemia, the animals’ glucose levels started to decrease gradually after 1 week. Eight weeks post-transplant, the PPLC’s had given rise to fully functional insulin-secreting beta cells, according to the Cell Stem Cellresearch.