Methods for in vitro expansion and transdifferentiation of human pancreatic acinar cells into insulin-producing cells

摘要

This invention relates, e.g., to a method for expanding mammalian acinar cells, comprising culturing the cells in a cell culture system comprising a cell culture medium and a cell attachment surface, under conditions wherein the acinar cells undergo a 3-4 fold expansion together with transdifferentiation into a modified cell phenotype (IP cells) showing characteristics of acinar cells and liver cells. The invention also relates to a method for transforming these IP cells to insulin-producing cells in vitro, comprising culturing the cells in a novel, defined medium. Also disclosed are suitable culture media for performing these methods, isolated cells having the phenotype of IP cells and/or produced by these methods, and kits for performing the methods.