Differentiation of dermis-derived multipotent cells into insulin-producing pancreatic cells in vitro

Abstract

Aim: To observe the plasticity of whether dermis-derived multipotent cells to differentiate into insulin-producing pancreatic cells in vitro. Methods: A clonal population of dermis-derived multipotent stem cells (DMCs) from newborn rat with the capacity to produce osteocytes, chondrocytes, adipocytes and neurons was used. The gene expression of cultured DMCs was assessed by DNA microarray using rat RGU34A gene expression probe arrays. DMCs were further cultured in the presence of insulin complex components (Insulin-transferrin-selenium, ITS) to observe whether DMCs could be induced into insulin-producing pancreatic cells in vitro. Results: DNA microarray analysis showed that cultured DMCs simultaneously expressed several genes associated with pancreatic cell, neural cell, epithelial cell and hepatocyte, widening its transcriptomic repertoire. When cultured in the specific induction medium containing ITS for pancreatic cells, DMCs differentiated into epithelioid cells that were positive for insulin detected by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: Our data indicate that dermal multipotent cells may serve as a source of stem/progenitor cells for insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Copyright © 2004 by The WJG Press.