This study investigated the differentiation of placenta-derived adherent cells (PDACs) into insulin-producing cells (IPCs). PDACswere cultured and the cells characterized by analysis of cell surface markers using flow cytometry. The PDACs were then treated with induction media containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and bmercaptoethanol (b-ME). After induction, the presence of IPCs was demonstrated using dithizone staining, and the production of functional insulin was confirmed using immunocytochemistry and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of the islet-associated genes PDX-1, Insulin 1, Insulin 2 and Glut 2 in the induced cells was measured using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; PDX-1 was expressed after 7 days of induction and PDX-1, Insulin 1 and Insulin 2 were all detected after 14 days. These results suggest that the placenta could be a new source of stem cells that can be induced to differentiate into IPCs following treatment with media containing bFGF and b-ME.
Placenta-derived adherent cells can differentiate into either osteocytes or adipocytes in vitro. The human placenta may provide an alternative source of mesenchymal stem cells for basic research and clinical use.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.