Identification and differentiation of PDX1 β-cell progenitors within the human pancreatic epithelium

Figure 2 Comparison of differentiated and undifferentiated islet cells infected with PDX1-monomeric red fluorescent protein/insulin 1-enhanced green fluorescent protein. Islet cells cultured in differentiation medium (A) form adherent cell aggregates within the cell monolayer and insulin⁺ (GFP) and PDX1⁺ (RFP) expressing cells are localized within these cell aggregates. Islet cells cultured in control medium (B, undifferentiated) have fewer cell aggregates and insulin (GFP) and PDX1⁺ (RFP) cells. Scale bars are 100 μm. Gene expression (C) of PDX1-monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP)/insulin-enhanced green fluorescent protein islet cells (PDX1⁺ insulin⁺, white bars; n = 7) and PDX1-mRFP infected islet cells (PDX1⁺, grey bars; n = 4) post-differentiation compared to starting islet tissue (Time 0, black bars; n = 8) measured by real-time PCR. ^aP < 0.05 and ^bP < 0.01 compared to Time 0. RFP: Red fluorescent protein.