Transplantation of insulin-producing cells from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

• Main Authors: Tsai Pei-Jiun, Wang Hwai-Shi, Shyr Yi-Ming, Weng Zen-Chung, Tai Ling-Chen, Shyu Jia-Fwu, Chen Tien-Hua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-04-01
• Series: Journal of Biomedical Science
• Subjects: Mesenchymal stem cell; Portal vein; Insulin-producing cells; Transplant
• Online Access: http://www.jbiomedsci.com/content/19/1/47
• ISSN: 1021-7770; 1423-0127

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although diabetes mellitus (DM) can be treated with islet transplantation, a scarcity of donors limits the utility of this technique. This study investigated whether human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord could be induced efficiently to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. Secondly, we evaluated the effect of portal vein transplantation of these differentiated cells in the treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>MSCs from human umbilical cord were induced in three stages to differentiate into insulin-producing cells and evaluated by immunocytochemistry, reverse transcriptase, and real-time PCR, and ELISA. Differentiated cells were transplanted into the liver of diabetic rats using a Port-A catheter via the portal vein. Blood glucose levels were monitored weekly.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Human nuclei and C-peptide were detected in the rat liver by immunohistochemistry. Pancreatic β-cell development-related genes were expressed in the differentiated cells. C-peptide release was increased after glucose challenge <it>in vitro</it>. Furthermore, after transplantation of differentiated cells into the diabetic rats, blood sugar level decreased. Insulin-producing cells containing human C-peptide and human nuclei were located in the liver.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Thus, a Port-A catheter can be used to transplant differentiated insulin-producing cells from human MSCs into the portal vein to alleviate hyperglycemia among diabetic rats.</p>