Endocrine Abstracts

In recent studies pancreatic stellate cells, an undifferentiated cell type, have the capacity of extended selfrenewal and are able to differentiate spontaneously into cell types of all three germ layers expressing markers for smooth muscle cells, neurons, glial cells, epithelial cells, chondrocytes and secretory cells (insulin, amylase). Here we investigated the protocol that induced pancreatic stellate-like cells to neuron in vitro. Pancreatic stellate-like cells from adult SD rats were induced in serum-free medium for 6 days. The expression of neuronal or glial specific markers and gene was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence cytochemistry staining, Western blot, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The percentage of apoptotic cells at 6 days was measured by TUNEL assay. After induction for 6 hours, pancreatic stellate-like cells displayed neuronal morphologies. The undifferentiated cells did not exhibit a neuronal or glial phenotype. The differentiating cells expressed nestin, a marker of neural stem cells, at 6 hours, and disappeared at 6 days. In contrast, expression of neuron-specific markers and gene was detectable at 6 days. And glia-specific markers and gene was not expressed. The percentage of apoptotic cells was 19.5%±2.4%. The data emphasize that adult rat pancreatic stellate-like cells may be induced to neuron in vitro. It is a useful vehicle for transplantation in both cell and gene therapy for inherited disorders or acquired degenerative diseases.

Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (30200128) and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.