From Stem Cells to Insulin-Producing Beta Cells
November 16, 2021 | Terry Sharrer
“Here, we [biomedical engineers at Penn State] identify a dose-dependent role for Wnt signaling in controlling DE differentiation without Activin A. While high-level Wnt activation induces mesodermal formation, low-level Wnt activation by a small-molecule inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3 is sufficient for DE differentiation, yielding SOX17+FOXA2+ DE [definitive endoderm] cells. BMP [bone morphogenic protein] inhibition further enhances this DE differentiation, generating over 87% DE cells. . . . Overall, we established a robust growth-factor-free protocol for generating DE and PP cells, facilitating scalable production of pancreatic cells for regenerative applications.” MORE
Image Credit: Cell.com/stem-cell-reports