Directing stem cells down the pancreatic line

High content screening has allowed US researchers to identify a molecule that can direct human embryonic stem cells down the pancreatic path, with the hope of eventually creating insulin-producing beta cells.

The researchers, led by Professor Doug Melton of Harvard University, used a high-content screen to identify (–)-indolactam V (ILV), which seems to increase the number of cells derived from hESCs that express Pdx1, a transcription factor needed for pancreatic development.

When combined with growth factors, ILV can nudge hESCs along such that more than 45 per cent become pancreatic progenitor cells.

These cells are thought to be the common progenitor for the entire pancreas, forming duct, exocrine and endocrine tissues, the researchers write.

They say this method would be less expensive and more easily controllable than using co-culture with other cell types.

The study is published online in advance in Nature Chemical Biology Nature Chemical Biology.