Yang KM, Yong W, Li AD, Yang HJ. Insulin-producing cells are bi-potential and differentiatorsprior to proliferation in early human development. World J Diabetes 2011; 2(4): 54-58 [PMID: 21537461 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v2.i4.54]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Kai-Ming Yang, Professor, Department of Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, Dali University, Dali 671000, Yunnan Province, China. kming1965@163.com
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World J Diabetes. Apr 15, 2011; 2(4): 54-58 Published online Apr 15, 2011. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v2.i4.54
Insulin-producing cells are bi-potential and differentiatorsprior to proliferation in early human development
Kai-Ming Yang, Wang Yong, Ai-Dong Li, Hui-Jun Yang
Kai-Ming Yang, Wang Yong, Department of Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, Dali University, Dali 671000, Yunnan Province, China
Ai-Dong Li, Hui-Jun Yang, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Yang KM designed and supported the study; Yong W was responsible for literature collection and manuscript drafting; and Li AD and Yang HJ revised the paper critically.
Correspondence to: Kai-Ming Yang, Professor, Department of Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, Dali University, Dali 671000, Yunnan Province, China. kming1965@163.com
Telephone: +86-0872-2257140 Fax: +86-0872-2257106
Received: October 28, 2010 Revised: March 28, 2011 Accepted: April 4, 2011 Published online: April 15, 2011
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the differentiation and migration of endocrine cells to form the pancreatic islets of Langerhans in early human development.
METHODS: Embryonic pancreas of 6-14 wk gestation was observed using immunocytochemistry methods in early human development.
RESULTS: Insulin and glucagon are expressed in the same epithelium cells in the pancreas. In addition, insulin-producing cells also secrete somatostatin in early human embryonic development and these insulin-producing cells also express nestin.
CONCLUSION: Pancreatic duct epithelial cells that can produce insulin in early human development are precursors and still have the potential to differentiate other endocrine cells. These progenitors have differentiated before migration from primary ductal epithelium to form the pancreatic islets.
