AN ANIMAL MODEL FOR IDENTIFYING A COMMON STEM/PROGENITOR TO LIVER CELLS AND PANCREATIC CELLS

摘要

The invention provides animal models, where the ectopic expression of KGF, EGF, or both is under the control of a pancreas-specific promoter, e.g., the insulin promoter. The expression of KGF in the ins-KGF pancreatic islets of Langerhans results in enlarged islets, with substantial proliferation of duc t cells within the islet mass, and the presence of albumin and alpha-fetoprote in- producing hepatocytes in the islets of the ins-KGF pancreata. The compositio ns and methods disclosed are useful for identifying and isolating pancreatic stem/progenitor cells, including a common stem/progenitor to liver cells and pancreatic cells.