METHOD OF GENERATING ISLET BETA-CELLS FROM EXOCRINE PANCREATIC CELLS

摘要

The present invention discloses an in vitro method wherein mammalian beta-cell differentiation can be induced in dedifferentiated exocrine pancreatic cells in a medium comprising ligands of the EGF receptor and the GP130 receptor, such as EGF and LIF. Insulin secreting cells, obtainable by this method, provide a means for the treatment of diabetes by islet transplantation.