Original Article
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World J Diabetes. Feb 15, 2014; 5(1): 59-68
Published online Feb 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i1.59
Identification and differentiation of PDX1 β-cell progenitors within the human pancreatic epithelium
Karen L Seeberger, Sarah J Anderson, Cara E Ellis, Telford Y Yeung, Gregory S Korbutt
Karen L Seeberger, Sarah J Anderson, Cara E Ellis, Telford Y Yeung, Gregory S Korbutt, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada
Gregory S Korbutt, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
Gregory S Korbutt, Alberta Diabetes Institute, 5-002 Li Ka Shing Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada
Author contributions: Seeberger KL and Anderson SJ contributed equally to this work; Seeberger KL and Korbutt GS designed the research; Seeberger KL and Anderson SJ performed the research; Ellis CE and Yeung TY contributed new reagents/analytic tools; Seeberger KL, Anderson SJ, Ellis CE and Yeung TY analyzed the data; and Seeberger KL wrote the paper.
Supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, No. MOP8030; and the Alberta Diabetes Institute
Correspondence to: Gregory S Korbutt, Professor, Alberta Diabetes Institute, 5-002 Li Ka Shing Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada. korbutt@ualberta.ca
Telephone: +1-780-4924657 Fax: +1-780-4925501
Received: September 13, 2013
Revised: November 27, 2013
Accepted: December 13, 2013
Published online: February 15, 2014
Processing time: 159 Days and 9.1 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Previously, we demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells could be expanded from human endocrine and non-endocrine pancreas cell fractions in vitro. However, we were unable to complete cell differentiation of mesenchymal cell intermediates to functional endocrine cells. In this study we utilized a novel cell culture medium to prevent epithelial cell de-differentiation and mesenchymal cell expansion. After epithelial cell expansion in this medium cells were differentiated via our previously described protocol and we confirmed by lineage tracing, flow cytometry, immunostaining and real-time polymerase chain reaction that islet progenitors reside in the pancreatic epithelium and are not derived via a mesenchymal cell intermediate.