Neuronal restrictive silencing factor silencing induces human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells differentiation into insulin-producing cells

Stem Cells Dev. 2011 Jul;20(7):1223-31. doi: 10.1089/scd.2010.0195. Epub 2010 Nov 29.

Abstract

Islet cell replacement represents the most promising approach for the treatment of type I diabetes. However, it is limited by a shortage of pancreas donors. Here, we report that human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (hAFSCs) can be induced to differentiate into functional insulin-producing cells by knocking down neuronal restrictive silencing factor (NRSF). In this study, lentiviral vectors were used to deliver small interference NRSF (siNRSF) RNA into hAFSCs. After infection with lentivirus containing siNRSF, hAFSCs were successfully induced to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. The differentiated siNRSF-hAFSCs expressed genes specific for islet cells, such as Pdx1, Hnf4α, Isl-1, Nkx6.1, Insulin, and Glut2. These cells also produced and released C-peptide in a glucose-responsive manner. These findings indicated that hAFSCs could be induced to differentiate into insulin-producing β-like cells by NRSF silencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amniotic Fluid / cytology*
  • C-Peptide / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / cytology
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism*
  • Lentivirus / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • RNA Interference
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • C-Peptide
  • RE1-silencing transcription factor
  • Repressor Proteins