Islet‐like cell clusters occur naturally in human gall bladder and are retained in diabetic conditions^†

Cell Sources for Treating Diabetes

“…An example is the conversion of liver cells to pancreas (Ferber et al, 2000). More recently, we demonstrated evidence that human gallbladder epithelial cells contain pancreatic hormone-producing cells (Sahu et al, 2009a). These observations are in line with similar observations made in mice (Coad et al, 2009).…”

New sources of β-cells for treating diabetes

“…While the common bile duct may not be useful as a source of pancreatic b-cells, the gall bladder may offer an alternative starting material. Recent studies have demonstrated that gall bladder (Sahu et al 2008) as well as human biliary duct epithelial cells contain endocrine pancreatic hormoneproducing cells. Insulin, glucagon, PP, and somatostatin proteins were observed by immunocytochemistry (Sahu et al 2008).…”

“…Recent studies have demonstrated that gall bladder (Sahu et al 2008) as well as human biliary duct epithelial cells contain endocrine pancreatic hormoneproducing cells. Insulin, glucagon, PP, and somatostatin proteins were observed by immunocytochemistry (Sahu et al 2008). However, the level of insulin gene transcripts by quantitative TaqMan-based real-time PCR was at least 3000-fold lower than that observed in adult human islets.…”

Tissue Engineering for Tissue and Organ Regeneration

“…The identification of these critical factors is one focus of current research. Amnion epithelial cells Kadam et al, 2010a), and stem cells from liver ), wharton's jelly of umbilical cord (Chao et al, 2008), umbilical cord blood (Phuc et al, 2010), placenta (Kadam et al, 2010b), gall bladder (Sahu et al, 2009) etc were also differentiated to insulin producing cells. In every case the differentiated islets expressed islet specific proteins and were capable of secreting insulin in response to glucose stimulation, albeit less than native islets.…”