In situ maturation of cultured pancreatic stem cells having a specified, intermediate stage of development

摘要

This invention relates to the discovery that an intermediate, differentiated stage of pancreatic stem cells exist that can be matured in situ into a stable cell line that produces insulin in response to glucose. These cells are advantageous in that they are both expandable and stable in culture. This invention avoids the step of culturing the intermediate stage stem cells into later stage pancreatic cells.