Reprogrammed Liver Cells Replace Nonfunctional Pancreatic Cells in Mouse Model

Further expression of TGIF2 - which is active in pancreatic cells but not in liver cells - caused these cells to acquire the characteristics of pancreatic cells.

The investigators tested the functionality of the modified liver cells by injecting them into diabetic mice. They reported in the February 13, 2017, online edition of the journal Nature Communications that the animals' blood glucose levels improved, indicating that the cells were replacing the functions of pancreatic islet cells.

"There are differences between mice and humans, which we still have to overcome," said senior author Dr. Francesca M. Spagnoli, head of the molecular and cellular basis of embryonic development group at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine. "But we are well on the path to developing a "proof of concept" for future therapies."