Transdifferentiation of hepatic oval cells into pancreatic islet beta-cells

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2012 Jun 1;17(7):2391-5. doi: 10.2741/4060.

Abstract

Insulin production by beta-cells derived from hepatic oval cells is a promising new approach for the treatment of diabetes. Hepatic oval cells can be redirected to the beta-cell linage by an appropriate combination of high extracellular glucose, specific extracellular matrix proteins (laminin and fibronectin), cytokines (activin A), and the expression of several differentiation-related transcription factors (Pdx-1, Ngn-3, MafA). We explore the process of hepatic oval cell transdifferentiation into pancreatic islet beta-cells and the cellular signaling pathways involved.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Activins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Cell Transdifferentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Transdifferentiation / physiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glucose / pharmacology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / biosynthesis
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / cytology*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Liver / cytology*
  • Macrophage-Activating Factors / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Insulin
  • Macrophage-Activating Factors
  • NEUROG3 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • activin A
  • pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 protein
  • Activins
  • Glucose