RGD Reference Report - High glucose is necessary for complete maturation of Pdx1-VP16-expressing hepatic cells into functional insulin-producing cells. - Rat Genome Database

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High glucose is necessary for complete maturation of Pdx1-VP16-expressing hepatic cells into functional insulin-producing cells.

Authors: Cao, LZ  Tang, DQ  Horb, ME  Li, SW  Yang, LJ 
Citation: Cao LZ, etal., Diabetes. 2004 Dec;53(12):3168-78.
RGD ID: 2311226
Pubmed: PMID:15561947   (View Abstract at PubMed)
PMCID: PMC3422215   (View Article at PubMed Central)

Pdx1 has been shown to convert hepatocytes into both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic cells in mice, but it fails to selectively convert hepatocytes into pure insulin-producing cells (IPCs). The molecular mechanisms underlying the transdifferentiation remain unclear. In this study, we generated a stably transfected rat hepatic cell line named WB-1 that expresses an active form of Pdx1 along with a reporter gene, RIP-eGFP. Our results demonstrate that Pdx1 induces the expression of multiple genes related to endocrine pancreas development and islet function in these liver cells. We do not however find any expression of the late-stage genes (Pax4, Pax6, Isl-1, and MafA) related to beta-cell development, and the cells do not secrete insulin upon the glucose challenge. Yet when WB-1 cells are transplanted into diabetic NOD-scid mice, these genes become activated and hyperglycemia is completely reversed. Detailed comparison of gene expression profiles between pre- and posttransplanted WB-1 cells demonstrates that the WB-1 cells have similar properties as that seen in pancreatic beta-cells. In addition, in vitro culture in high-glucose medium is sufficient to induce complete maturation of WB-1 cells into functional IPCs. In summary, we find that Pdx1-VP16 is able to selectively convert hepatic cells into pancreatic endocrine precursor cells. However, complete transdifferentiation into functional IPCs requires additional external factors, including high glucose or hyperglycemia. Thus, transdifferentiation of hepatocytes into functional IPCs may serve as a viable therapeutic option for patients with type 1 diabetes.

RGD Manual Disease Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
Experimental Diabetes Mellitus  ISOPdx1 (Mus musculus)2311226; 2311226 RGD 
Experimental Diabetes Mellitus  IMP 2311226 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Pdx1  (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1)

Genes (Mus musculus)
Pdx1  (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1)

Genes (Homo sapiens)
PDX1  (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1)


Additional Information