Abstract
Transdifferentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells for the treatment of diabetes have shown promising but inconsistent results. We examined the potential for attracting bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to the pancreas using a chemokine, stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1). SDF-1 treatment markedly increased the number of GFP labeled BMSCs in the pancreas, but surprisingly, the majority was observed in liver. The liver cells had typical pancreatic endocrine cell gene expression including insulin I, insulin II, PDX-1, somatostatin, and glucagon. Combined treatment with SDF-1 and BMSC transplant reduced hyperglycemia and prolonged the long-term survival of diabetic mice, and a sub group had complete normoglycemia (<150. mg/dl), restored blood insulin levels, and normal glucose tolerance. Our results suggest that SDF-1 could potentially be used to improve the homing of stem cells and β-cell regeneration. The mechanism appears to involve an increase in insulin producing cells mainly in the liver.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 88-96 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology |
Volume | 345 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 15 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bone marrow stem cells
- Diabetes
- Homing
- Insulin
- Liver
- SDF-1
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology