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Original Article Transdifferentiation of Enteroendocrine K-cells into Insulin-expressing Cells.
Esder Lee, Jun Mo Yu, Min Kyung Lee, Gyeong Ryul Ryu, Seung Hyun Ko, Yu Bae Ahn, Sung Dae Moon, Ki Ho Song
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2009;33(6):475-484
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/kdj.2009.33.6.475
Published online: December 1, 2009
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Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. kihos@catholic.ac.kr
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BACKGROUND
Despite a recent breakthough in human islet transplantation for treating type 1 diabetes mellitus, the limited availability of donor pancreases remains a major obstacle. Endocrine cells within the gut epithelium (enteroendocrine cells) and pancreatic beta cells share similar pathways of differentiation during embryonic development. In particular, K-cells that secrete glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) have been shown to express many of the key proteins found in beta cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that K-cells can be transdifferentiated into beta cells because both cells have remarkable similarities in their embryonic development and cellular phenotypes. METHODS: K-cells were purified from heterogeneous STC-1 cells originating from an endocrine tumor of a mouse intestine. In addition, a K-cell subclone expressing stable Nkx6.1, called "Kn4-cells," was successfully obtained. In vitro differentiation of K-cells or Kn4-cells into beta cells was completed after exendin-4 treatment and serum deprivation. The expressions of insulin mRNA and protein were examined by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. The interacellular insulin content was also measured. RESULTS: K-cells were found to express glucokinase and GIP as assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RT-PCR showed that K-cells also expressed Pdx-1, NeuroD1/Beta2, and MafA, but not Nkx6.1. After exendin-4 treatment and serum deprivation, insulin mRNA and insulin or C-peptide were clearly detected in Kn4-cells. The intracellular insulin content was also increased significantly in these cells. CONCLUSION: K-cells are an attractive potential source of insulin-producing cells for treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. However, more experiments are necessary to optimize a strategy for converting K-cells into beta cells.

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    Transdifferentiation of Enteroendocrine K-cells into Insulin-expressing Cells.
    Korean Diabetes J. 2009;33(6):475-484.   Published online December 1, 2009
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Lee E, Yu JM, Lee MK, Ryu GR, Ko SH, Ahn YB, Moon SD, Song KH. Transdifferentiation of Enteroendocrine K-cells into Insulin-expressing Cells.. Diabetes Metab J. 2009;33(6):475-484.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/kdj.2009.33.6.475.

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