Induced differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem modified by cells Pdx1gene into islet beta-like cells in vitro

This study was to explore the induced differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modified by pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (Pdx1) gene into insulin-producing cells in vitro. After recombined adenovirus vector with Pdx1 gene infected MSCs for 7 d, cells were induced by induction factors. The genes' expressions related to islet beta cells such as Pdx1, insulin, glucose transporter-2 (Glut2), were detected with RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and Western blot. The levels of insulin and C peptide secretion were examined with chemiluminescence immunoassay. Insulin(+) cell rate was detected by flow cytometry. After infected by recombined adenovirus with Pdx1 and combined with induction factors, MSCs were aggregated and islet-like cell clusters formed. Dithizone staining of these cells was positive. The genes' expression related to islet beta cells, such as Pdx1, insulin, Glut2, could be detected. After induction, the islet-like cell clusters secreted insulin and C peptide. The levels of insulin and C peptide secretion increased with glucose stimulation. Insulin(+) cell rate was (11.61 +/- 4.83)%. It could be concluded that Pdx1 gene modified MSCs from human umbilical cord could be induced to differentiate into islet beta-like cells.