Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to the pancreatic lineage

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells have great therapeutic potential for the treatment of degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease, cardiac failure and type I diabetes. This potential is based on the ability of hES cells in vitro to self-renew and also differentiate to cells of all three germ layers; ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. Type I diabetes is due to an autoimmune disease destroying the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas (β-cells) that regulate plasma glucose concentration. The pancreas develops from the endoderm lineage. 2. To find a cure for type I diabetes based on the use of hES, it is essential to understand the differentiation process of ES cells into the endodermal, β-cell lineage. The aim of this study was to investigate the generation of insulin-secreting cells using hES cells in vitro and to compare sue with those in the developing pancreas of the foetus.