Overexpression of Ngn3 and Pdx-1 in human bone marrow derived mesenchymal (hMSC-TERT) stem cells triggers endocrine pancreatic gene expression

Adult stem cells are investigated as an alternative source for beta-cell replacement therapy. So far, no consistent differentiation capacity for insulin producing cells has been shown in human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) and Pdx-1 are key transcription factors for the specification of endocrine pancreatic cell lineage and/or insulin expression. Here we investigated the ability of hNgn3, hPdx-1 to induce pancreatic endocrine gene expression in the human bone marrow derived MSC-line hMSC-TERT. hMSC-TERT cell lines stably overexpressing hNgn3 and/or hPDX-1 were generated (T…