We observed the distribution of CD56+ epithelial cells in the pancreatic duct system using 25 fetal, one infantile, 3 normal adult, 4 diabetic, and 8 chronically inflamed pancreatic tissue samples. In the early stage of gestation (12 to 17 weeks), CD56+ cells were commonly seen in the immature tubular structures. They were often continuous to pancreatic islets, and their distribution was simila...

Reduction of beta cell function and a beta cell mass is observed in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, restoration of this deficiency might be a therapeutic option for treatment of diabetes. Islet transplantation has benefits, such as reduced incidence of hypoglycemia and achievement of insulin independence. However, the major drawback is an insufficient supply of islet donors. Transpl...

AIM To investigate the ability of human amniotic fluid stem cells and human dental pulp stem cells to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. METHODS Human amniotic fluid stem cells and human dental pulp stem cells were induced to differentiate into pancreatic β-cells by a multistep protocol. Islet-like structures were assessed in differentiated human amniotic fluid stem cells and human d...

It was estimated that every year more than 30000 persons in the United States - approximately 80 people per day - are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D is caused by autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic islet (β cells) cells. Islet transplantation has become a promising therapy option for T1D patients, while the lack of suitable tools is difficult to directly evaluate of the viabilit...

Glucagon-producing pancreatic islet cells generate calcium-dependent action potentials. By the control of calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels, calcium is a tightly regulated second messenger in these cells. It is unknown whether calcium is a signal for glucagon gene transcription. Therefore, rat glucagon reporter fusion genes were transiently transfected into pancreatic islet ...

Cellular muscular aponeurotic fibrosarcoma (c-Maf) is a member of the large macrophage-activating factor family. C-Maf plays important roles in the morphogenetic processes and cellular differentiation of the lens, kidneys, liver, T cells and nervous system, and it is particularly important in pancreatic islet and erythroblastic island formation. However, the exact role of c-Maf remains to be el...

Clusterin is a heterodimeric glycoprotein which has been shown to play important roles in programmed cell death and/or in tissue reorganization not only during embryonic development but also in damaged tissues. Recently, we reported the transient induction of clusterin in pancreatic endocrine cells during early developmental stages of islet formation. In the present study, we have investigated ...

The islets of Langerhans contain four distinct endocrine cell types producing the hormones glucagon, insulin, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. These cell lineages are thought to arise from a common, multipotential progenitor cell whose identity has not been well established. The pancreatic and intestinal hormone, peptide YY, has been previously identified in glucagon-producing cells in ...