Cellular plasticity of the pancreas

Cell replacement therapy holds promises for treatment of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. When determining the appropriate strategies to amplify the amount of transplantable beta-cells, sufficient knowledge of the developmental programs regulating beta-cell differentiation is crucial. Here, we describe the plasticity of the different pancreatic cell types in vivo and in vitro and their potential to serve as beta-cell progenitor.

Publication year:2009

Keywords:β-cells, cell reprogramming, metaplasia, pancreas,