METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIATING ISLET PRECURSOR CELLS INTO BETA CELLS

摘要

The invention includes a method of differentiating pancreatic islet stem cells or islet precursor cells into functioning beta cells to treat diabetes mellitus by transplanting the cells into a diabetic animal. Pancreatic cells are isolated and cultured such that the population of nestin-positive cells increases. The cells are then cultured on poly-D-lysine such that cell aggregates form. The cell aggregates are transplanted into a diabetic animal, where they produce insulin and lower blood glucose concentrations.