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Narayan G, Ronima K R, Agrawal A, Thummer RP. An Insight into Vital Genes Responsible for β-cell Formation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1450:1-27. [PMID: 37432546 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2023_778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The regulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells, when disturbed, will result in diabetes mellitus. Replacement of dysfunctional or lost β-cells with fully functional ones can tackle the problem of β-cell generation in diabetes mellitus. Various pancreatic-specific genes are expressed during different stages of development, which have essential roles in pancreatogenesis and β-cell formation. These factors play a critical role in cellular-based studies like transdifferentiation or de-differentiation of somatic cells to multipotent or pluripotent stem cells and their differentiation into functional β-cells. This work gives an overview of crucial transcription factors expressed during various stages of pancreas development and their role in β-cell specification. In addition, it also provides a perspective on the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Narayan
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ronima K R
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Akriti Agrawal
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Rajkumar P Thummer
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India.
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2
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Baikenova MB, Chereshnev VA, Sokolova KV, Gette IF, Emelyanov VV, Danilova IG. Hepatic Insulin-Positive Cells and Major Transcription Factors (PDX1, MAFA, NGN3) in Rat Models of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093021040037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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3
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López-Soldado I, Guinovart JJ, Duran J. Increasing hepatic glycogen moderates the diabetic phenotype in insulin-deficient Akita mice. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100498. [PMID: 33667544 PMCID: PMC8027280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic glycogen metabolism is impaired in diabetes. We previously demonstrated that strategies to increase liver glycogen content in a high-fat-diet mouse model of obesity and insulin resistance led to a reduction in food intake and ameliorated obesity and glucose tolerance. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in insulin levels, but whether this decrease contributed to the phenotype observed in this animal was unclear. Here we sought to evaluate this aspect directly, by examining the long-term effects of increasing liver glycogen in an animal model of insulin-deficient and monogenic diabetes, namely the Akita mouse, which is characterized by reduced insulin production. We crossed Akita mice with animals overexpressing protein targeting to glycogen (PTG) in the liver to generate Akita mice with increased liver glycogen content (Akita-PTGOE). Akita-PTGOE animals showed lower glycemia, lower food intake, and decreased water consumption and urine output compared with Akita mice. Furthermore, Akita-PTGOE mice showed a restoration of the hepatic energy state and a normalization of gluconeogenesis and glycolysis back to nondiabetic levels. Moreover, hepatic lipogenesis, which is reduced in Akita mice, was reverted in Akita-PTGOE animals. These results demonstrate that strategies to increase liver glycogen content lead to the long-term reduction of the diabetic phenotype, independently of circulating insulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iliana López-Soldado
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Joan J Guinovart
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Duran
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
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4
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Kh S, Haider KH. Stem Cells: A Renewable Source of Pancreatic β-Cells and Future for Diabetes Treatment. Stem Cells 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77052-5_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Here, we review recent findings in the field of generating insulin-producing cells by pancreatic transcription factor (pTF)-induced liver transdifferentiation (TD). TD is the direct conversion of functional cell types from one lineage to another without passing through an intermediate stage of pluripotency. We address potential reasons for the restricted efficiency of TD and suggest modalities to overcome these challenges, to bring TD closer to its clinical implementation in autologous cell replacement therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS Liver to pancreas TD is restricted to cells that are a priori predisposed to undergo the developmental process. In vivo, the predisposition of liver cells is affected by liver zonation and hepatic regeneration. The TD propensity of liver cells is related to permissive epigenome which could be extended to TD-resistant cells by specific soluble factors. An obligatory role for active Wnt signaling in continuously maintaining a "permissive" epigenome is suggested. Moreover, the restoration of the pancreatic niche and vasculature promotes the maturation of TD cells along the β cell function. Future studies on liver to pancreas TD should include the maturation of TD cells by 3D culture, the restoration of vasculature and the pancreatic niche, and the extension of TD propensity to TD-resistant cells by epigenetic modifications. Liver to pancreas TD is expected to result in the generation of custom-made "self" surrogate β cells for curing diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irit Meivar-Levy
- The Sheba Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Center, Sheba Medical Center, 56261, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Dia-Cure, Institute of Medical Scientific Research Acad. Nicolae Cajal, University Titu Maiorescu, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sarah Ferber
- The Sheba Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Center, Sheba Medical Center, 56261, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
- Dia-Cure, Institute of Medical Scientific Research Acad. Nicolae Cajal, University Titu Maiorescu, Bucharest, Romania.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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Chellappan DK, Sivam NS, Teoh KX, Leong WP, Fui TZ, Chooi K, Khoo N, Yi FJ, Chellian J, Cheng LL, Dahiya R, Gupta G, Singhvi G, Nammi S, Hansbro PM, Dua K. Gene therapy and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 108:1188-1200. [PMID: 30372820 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by T cell-mediated self-destruction of insulin-secreting islet β cells. Management of T1DM is challenging and complicated especially with conventional medications. Gene therapy has emerged as one of the potential therapeutic alternatives to treat T1DM. This review primarily focuses on the current status and the future perspectives of gene therapy in the management of T1DM. A vast number of the studies which are reported on gene therapy for the management of T1DM are done in animal models and in preclinical studies. In addition, the safety of such therapies is yet to be established in humans. Currently, there are several gene level interventions that are being investigated, notably, overexpression of genes and proteins needed against T1DM, transplantation of cells that express the genes against T1DM, stem-cells mediated gene therapy, genetic vaccination, immunological precursor cell-mediated gene therapy and vectors. METHODS We searched the current literature through searchable online databases, journals and other library sources using relevant keywords and search parameters. Only relevant publications in English, between the years 2000 and 2018, with evidences and proper citations, were considered. The publications were then analyzed and segregated into several subtopics based on common words and content. A total of 126 studies were found suitable for this review. FINDINGS Generally, the pros and cons of each of the gene-based therapies have been discussed based on the results collected from the literature. However, there are certain interventions that require further detailed studies to ensure their effectiveness. We have also highlighted the future direction and perspectives in gene therapy, which, researchers could benefit from.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Kumar Chellappan
- Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
| | - Nandhini S Sivam
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Kai Xiang Teoh
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Wai Pan Leong
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Tai Zhen Fui
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Kien Chooi
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Nico Khoo
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Fam Jia Yi
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Jestin Chellian
- Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Lim Lay Cheng
- Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Rajiv Dahiya
- Laboratory of Peptide Research and Development, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jagatpura, 302017, Jaipur, India.
| | - Gautam Singhvi
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, Pilani Campus, 333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Srinivas Nammi
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, NSW, 2751, Australia; NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Philip Michael Hansbro
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW, 2007, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia & Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo NSW, 2007, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia & Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
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7
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Cito M, Pellegrini S, Piemonti L, Sordi V. The potential and challenges of alternative sources of β cells for the cure of type 1 diabetes. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:R114-R125. [PMID: 29555660 PMCID: PMC5861368 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The experience in the field of islet transplantation shows that it is possible to replace β cells in a patient with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but this cell therapy is limited by the scarcity of organ donors and by the danger associated to the immunosuppressive drugs. Stem cell therapy is becoming a concrete opportunity to treat various diseases. In particular, for a disease like T1D, caused by the loss of a single specific cell type that does not need to be transplanted back in its originating site to perform its function, a stem cell-based cell replacement therapy seems to be the ideal cure. New and infinite sources of β cells are strongly required. In this review, we make an overview of the most promising and advanced β cell production strategies. Particular hope is placed in pluripotent stem cells (PSC), both embryonic (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). The first phase 1/2 clinical trials with ESC-derived pancreatic progenitor cells are ongoing in the United States and Canada, but a successful strategy for the use of PSC in patients with diabetes has still to overcome several important hurdles. Another promising strategy of generation of new β cells is the transdifferentiation of adult cells, both intra-pancreatic, such as alpha, exocrine and ductal cells or extra-pancreatic, in particular liver cells. Finally, new advances in gene editing technologies have given impetus to research on the production of human organs in chimeric animals and on in situ reprogramming of adult cells through in vivo target gene activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monia Cito
- Diabetes Research InstituteIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Diabetes Research InstituteIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Piemonti
- Diabetes Research InstituteIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele UniversityMilan, Italy
| | - Valeria Sordi
- Diabetes Research InstituteIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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8
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Xie A, Li R, Jiang T, Yan H, Zhang H, Yang Y, Yang L, Yechoor V, Chan L, Chen W. Anti-TCRβ mAb in Combination With Neurogenin3 Gene Therapy Reverses Established Overt Type 1 Diabetes in Female NOD Mice. Endocrinology 2017; 158:3140-3151. [PMID: 28977608 PMCID: PMC5659705 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-producing β cells in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are destroyed by T lymphocytes. We investigated whether targeting the T-cell receptor (TCR) with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) abrogates T-cell response against residual and newly formed islets in overtly diabetic nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. NOD mice with blood glucose levels of 250 to 350 mg/dL or 350 to 450 mg/dL were considered as new-onset or established overt diabetes, respectively. These diabetic NOD mice were transiently treated with an anti-TCR β chain (TCRβ) mAb, H57-597, for 5 days. Two weeks later, some NOD mice with established overt diabetes further received hepatic gene therapy using the islet-lineage determining gene Neurogenin3 (Ngn3), in combination with the islet growth factor gene betacellulin (Btc). We found that anti-TCRβ mAb (50 µg/d) reversed >80% new-onset diabetes in NOD mice for >14 weeks by reducing the number of effector T cells in the pancreas. However, anti-TCRβ mAb therapy alone reversed only ∼20% established overt diabetes in these mice. Among those overtly diabetic NOD mice whose diabetes was resistant to anti-TCRβ mAb treatment, ∼60% no longer had diabetes when they also received Ngn3-Btc hepatic gene transfer 2 weeks after initial anti-TCRβ mAb treatment. This combination of Ngn3-Btc gene therapy and anti-TCRβ mAb treatment induced the sustained formation of periportal insulin-producing cells in the liver of overtly diabetic mice. Therefore, directly targeting TCRβ with a mAb potently reverses new-onset T1D in NOD mice and protects residual and newly formed gene therapy-induced hepatic neo-islets from T-cell‒mediated destruction in mice with established overt diabetes.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics
- Betacellulin/genetics
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/immunology
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy
- Female
- Genetic Therapy/methods
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/immunology
- Insulin-Secreting Cells/physiology
- Islets of Langerhans/cytology
- Islets of Langerhans/immunology
- Liver/cytology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Aini Xie
- Center for Immunobiology and Transplantation Research, Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes & Endocrinology Research Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Rongying Li
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes & Endocrinology Research Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Tao Jiang
- Center for Immunobiology and Transplantation Research, Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Hui Yan
- Center for Immunobiology and Transplantation Research, Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Hedong Zhang
- Center for Immunobiology and Transplantation Research, Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Yisheng Yang
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes & Endocrinology Research Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Lina Yang
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes & Endocrinology Research Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Vijay Yechoor
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes & Endocrinology Research Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Lawrence Chan
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes & Endocrinology Research Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Wenhao Chen
- Center for Immunobiology and Transplantation Research, Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes & Endocrinology Research Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
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Galivo F, Benedetti E, Wang Y, Pelz C, Schug J, Kaestner KH, Grompe M. Reprogramming human gallbladder cells into insulin-producing β-like cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181812. [PMID: 28813430 PMCID: PMC5558938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gallbladder and cystic duct (GBCs) are parts of the extrahepatic biliary tree and share a common developmental origin with the ventral pancreas. Here, we report on the very first genetic reprogramming of patient-derived human GBCs to β-like cells for potential autologous cell replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes. We developed a robust method for large-scale expansion of human GBCs ex vivo. GBCs were reprogrammed into insulin-producing pancreatic β-like cells by a combined adenoviral-mediated expression of hallmark pancreatic endocrine transcription factors PDX1, MAFA, NEUROG3, and PAX6 and differentiation culture in vitro. The reprogrammed GBCs (rGBCs) strongly induced the production of insulin and pancreatic endocrine genes and these responded to glucose stimulation in vitro. rGBCs also expressed an islet-specific surface marker, which was used to enrich for the most highly reprogrammed cells. More importantly, global mRNA and microRNA expression profiles and protein immunostaining indicated that rGBCs adopted an overall β-like state and these rGBCs engrafted in immunodeficient mice. Furthermore, comparative global expression analyses identified putative regulators of human biliary to β cell fate conversion. In summary, we have developed, for the first time, a reliable and robust genetic reprogramming and culture expansion of primary human GBCs—derived from multiple unrelated donors—into pancreatic β-like cells ex vivo, thus showing that human gallbladder is a potentially rich source of reprogrammable cells for autologous cell therapy in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feorillo Galivo
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FG); (MG)
| | - Eric Benedetti
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Yuhan Wang
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Carl Pelz
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Schug
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine and Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Klaus H. Kaestner
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine and Institute of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Markus Grompe
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FG); (MG)
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10
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Chang FP, Cho CHH, Shen CR, Chien CY, Ting LW, Lee HS, Shen CN. PDGF Facilitates Direct Lineage Reprogramming of Hepatocytes to Functional β-Like Cells Induced by Pdx1 and Ngn3. Cell Transplant 2016; 25:1893-1909. [DOI: 10.3727/096368916x691439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Islet transplantation has been proven to be an effective treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes, but a lack of islet donors limits the use of transplantation therapies. It has been previously demonstrated that hepatocytes can be converted into insulin-producing β-like cells by introducing pancreatic transcription factors, indicating that direct hepatocyte reprogramming holds potential as a treatment for diabetes. However, the efficiency at which functional β-cells can be derived from hepatocyte reprogramming remains low. Here we demonstrated that the combination of Pdx1 and Ngn3 can trigger reprogramming of mouse and human liver cells to insulin-producing cells that exhibit the characteristics of pancreatic β-cells. Treatment with PDGF-AA was found to facilitate Pdx1 and Ngn3-induced reprogramming of hepatocytes to β-like cells with the ability to secrete insulin in response to glucose stimulus. Importantly, this reprogramming strategy could be applied to adult mouse primary hepatocytes, and the transplantation of β-like cells derived from primary hepatocyte reprogramming could ameliorate hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. These findings support the possibility of developing transplantation therapies for type 1 diabetes through the use of β-like cells derived from autologous hepatocyte reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Pei Chang
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chia-Rui Shen
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Yun Chien
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Wen Ting
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Shu Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ning Shen
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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11
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Gene therapy with neurogenin3, betacellulin and SOCS1 reverses diabetes in NOD mice. Gene Ther 2015; 22:876-82. [PMID: 26172077 PMCID: PMC4636470 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Islet transplantation for Type 1 diabetes is limited by a shortage of donor islets and requirement for immunosuppression. We approached this problem by inducing in vivo islet neogenesis in NOD diabetic mice, a model of autoimmune diabetes. We demonstrate that gene therapy with helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAd) carrying neurogenin3, an islet lineage-defining transcription factor and betacellulin, an islet growth factor, leads to the induction of periportal insulin-positive cell clusters in the liver, which are rapidly destroyed. To specifically accord protection to these ‘neo-islets’ from cytokine-mediated destruction, we overexpressed suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) gene, using a rat insulin promoter in combination with neurogenin3 and betacellulin. With this approach, about half of diabetic mice attained euglycemia sustained for over 4 months, regain glucose tolerance and appropriate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Histological analysis revealed periportal islet hormone-expressing ‘neo-islets’ in treated mouse livers. Despite evidence of persistent ‘insulitis’ with activated T-cells, these ‘neo-islets’ persist to maintain euglycemia. This therapy does not affect diabetogenicity of splenocytes, as they retain the ability to transfer diabetes. This study thus provides a proof-of-concept for engineering in vivo islet neogenesis with targeted resistance to cytokine-mediated destruction to provide a long-term reversal of diabetes in NOD mice.
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12
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Li R, Lee J, Kim MS, Liu V, Moulik M, Li H, Yi Q, Xie A, Chen W, Yang L, Li Y, Tsai TH, Oka K, Chan L, Yechoor V. PD-L1-driven tolerance protects neurogenin3-induced islet neogenesis to reverse established type 1 diabetes in NOD mice. Diabetes 2015; 64:529-40. [PMID: 25332429 PMCID: PMC4303975 DOI: 10.2337/db13-1737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A breakdown in self-tolerance underlies autoimmune destruction of β-cells and type 1 diabetes. A cure by restoring β-cell mass is limited by the availability of transplantable β-cells and the need for chronic immunosuppression. Evidence indicates that inhibiting costimulation through the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is central to immune tolerance. We therefore tested whether induction of islet neogenesis in the liver, protected by PD-L1-driven tolerance, reverses diabetes in NOD mice. We demonstrated a robust induction of neo-islets in the liver of diabetic NOD mice by gene transfer of Neurogenin3, the islet-defining factor, along with betacellulin, an islet growth factor. These neo-islets expressed all the major pancreatic hormones and transcription factors. However, an enduring restoration of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and euglycemia occurs only when tolerance is also induced by the targeted overexpression of PD-L1 in the neo-islets, which results in inhibition of proliferation and increased apoptosis of infiltrating CD4(+) T cells. Further analysis revealed an inhibition of cytokine production from lymphocytes isolated from the liver but not from the spleen of treated mice, indicating that treatment did not result in generalized immunosuppression. This treatment strategy leads to persistence of functional neo-islets that resist autoimmune destruction and consequently an enduring reversal of diabetes in NOD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongying Li
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Jeongkyung Lee
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Mi-sun Kim
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Victoria Liu
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Mousumi Moulik
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Haiyan Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH
| | - Qing Yi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH
| | - Aini Xie
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Wenhao Chen
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Lina Yang
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Yimin Li
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Tsung Huang Tsai
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Kazuhiro Oka
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Lawrence Chan
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Vijay Yechoor
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, and Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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13
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Hiram-Bab S, Katz LS, Shapira H, Sandbank J, Gershengorn MC, Oron Y. Platelet-derived growth factor BB mimics serum-induced dispersal of pancreatic epithelial cell clusters. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:743-51. [PMID: 24129818 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We showed previously that proliferating human islet-derived de-differentiated cells (DIDs) exhibit many characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. Dispersed DIDs can be induced by serum deprivation to undergo mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and aggregate into epithelial cell clusters (ECCs). Conversely, ECCs can be induced to disperse and undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by re-addition of mammalian sera. In this study, we show that platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) mimics and mediates serum-induced ECCs' dispersal accompanied by accumulation of cytoplasmic β-catenin and a decrease in the levels of insulin and glucagon mRNAs. Moreover, we show that PDGF-BB-induced dispersal of ECCs is a more general phenomenon that occurs also with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and dermal fibroblasts (DFs). In DIDs, BM-MSCs, and DFs, PDGF decreased the levels of DKK1 mRNA, suggesting involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway. PDGF-BB stimulated a significant increase in S473 phosphorylation of Akt and the PI3K specific inhibitor (PIP828) partially inhibited PDGF-BB-induced ECC dispersal. Lastly, the PDGF-receptor (PDGF-R) antagonist JNJ-10198409 inhibited both PDGF-BB--and serum-induced ECC dispersal. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), which shares most of the PDGF signaling pathway, did not induce dispersal and only weakly stimulated Akt phosphorylation. Our data suggest that PDGF-BB mediates serum-induced DIDs dispersal, correlated with the activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Hiram-Bab
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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14
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The ABC of BTC: structural properties and biological roles of betacellulin. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 28:42-8. [PMID: 24440602 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Betacellulin was initially detected as a growth-promoting factor in the conditioned medium of a mouse pancreatic β-cell tumor cell line. Sequencing of the purified protein and of the cloned cDNA supported the assumption that betacellulin is a new ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which was later confirmed experimentally. As a typical EGFR ligand, betacellulin is expressed by a variety of cell types and tissues, and the soluble growth factor is proteolytically cleaved from a larger membrane-anchored precursor. Importantly, BTC can - in addition to the EGFR - bind and activate all possible heterodimeric combinations of the related ERBB receptors including the highly oncogenic ERBB2/3 dimer, as well as homodimers of ERBB4. While a large number of studies attest a role for betacellulin in the differentiation of pancreatic β-cells, the last decade witnessed the association of betacellulin with a large number of additional biological processes, ranging from reproduction to the control of neural stem cells.
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15
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CHEN WENHAO, XIE AINI, CHAN LAWRENCE. Mechanistic basis of immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes mellitus. Transl Res 2013; 161:217-29. [PMID: 23348026 PMCID: PMC3602320 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2012.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease for which there is no cure. The pancreatic beta cells are the source of insulin that keeps blood glucose normal. When susceptible individuals develop T1D, their beta cells are destroyed by autoimmune T lymphocytes and no longer produce insulin. T1D patients therefore depend on daily insulin injections for survival. Gene therapy in T1D aims at the induction of new islets to replace those that have been destroyed by autoimmunity. A major goal of T1D research is to restore functional beta cell mass while eliminating diabetogenic T cells in the hope of achieving insulin independence. Multiple therapeutic strategies for the generation of new beta cells have been under intense investigations. However, newly formed beta cells would be immediately destroyed by diabetogenic T cells. Therefore, successful islet induction therapy must be supported by potent immunotherapy that will protect the newly formed beta cells. Herein, we will summarize the current information on immunotherapies that aim at modifying T cell response to beta cells. We will first outline the immune mechanisms that underlie T1D development and progression and review the scientific background and rationale for specific modes of immunotherapy. Numerous clinical trials using antigen-specific strategies and immune-modifying drugs have been published, though most have proved too toxic or have failed to provide long-term beta cell protection. To develop an effective immunotherapy, there must be a continued effort on defining the molecular basis that underlies T cell response to pancreatic islet antigens in T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- WENHAO CHEN
- Diabetes Research Center, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Departments of Medicine and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - AINI XIE
- Diabetes Research Center, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Departments of Medicine and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - LAWRENCE CHAN
- Diabetes Research Center, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Departments of Medicine and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA 77030
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16
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Tang DQ, Shun L, Koya V, Sun Y, Wang Q, Wang H, Li SW, Sun Y, Purich DL, Zhang C, Hansen B, Qian K, Atkinson M, Phillips MI, Yang LJ. Genetically reprogrammed, liver-derived insulin-producing cells are glucose-responsive, but susceptible to autoimmune destruction in settings of murine model of type 1 diabetes. Am J Transl Res 2013; 5:184-199. [PMID: 23573363 PMCID: PMC3612514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Many previous studies demonstrate that hepatocytes can be reprogrammed into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) utilizing viral vector-mediated delivery of pancreatic transcription factors (PTFs). However, whether these liver-derived IPCs are susceptible to autoimmune attack in animal models of type 1 diabetes remains unclear, in part due to the immunogenicity of the viral vectors used to introduce PTF genes. Adeno-associated virus serotype 2 vector-expressing Pdx1-VP16 (Pdx1) and Ngn3 were prepared and injected into the portal vein of streptozotocin (Stz)/diabetic NOD/SCID mice. The presence of glucose-responsive liver-IPCs and their susceptibility to anti-beta cell autoimmunity were assessed by blood glucose levels, insulin content, IPC cell distribution, and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test following subtotal pancreatectomy (Px) and passive transfer of diabetogenic splenocytes isolated from diabetic female NOD mice. A combination of two PTF genes (Pdx1/Ngn3) effectively reprogrammed liver cells into glucose-responsive IPCs. These IPCs corrected hyperglycemia in Stz/diabetic NOD/SCID mice and maintained normoglycemia following subtotal Px, indicating that liver-derived IPCs could maintain glucose homeostasis. Importantly, we also demonstrated that the glucose-responsive liver-derived IPCs were susceptible to autoimmune destruction by diabetogenic splenocytes, as indicated by progressive elevation in blood glucose levels as well as mixed T-, and B-lymphocytic infiltrates surrounding liver-IPCs 2~3 weeks following transferring of diabetogenic splenocytes into NOD/SCID mice, and confirmed by immunohistochemical studies. In conclusion, genetically reprogrammed liver-IPCs, like pancreatic islet beta-cells, are susceptible to autoimmune attack, suggesting that for cell-replacement therapy of treating type 1 diabetes, beta-cell surrogates may require concomitant immunotherapy to avoid autoimmune destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Qi Tang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Lu Shun
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Vijay Koya
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Yuping Sun
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Qiwei Wang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Hai Wang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Shi-Wu Li
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Daniel L Purich
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Clare Zhang
- Obesity, Diabetes and Aging Research Center and Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Barbara Hansen
- Obesity, Diabetes and Aging Research Center and Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of South FloridaTampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Keping Qian
- Center for Rare Disease Therapies, Keck Graduate InstituteClaremont, California, 91711, USA
| | - Mark Atkinson
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - M Ian Phillips
- Center for Rare Disease Therapies, Keck Graduate InstituteClaremont, California, 91711, USA
| | - Li-Jun Yang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of MedicineGainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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17
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Ejarque M, Cervantes S, Pujadas G, Tutusaus A, Sanchez L, Gasa R. Neurogenin3 cooperates with Foxa2 to autoactivate its own expression. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:11705-17. [PMID: 23471965 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.388173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Neurogenin3 functions as a master regulator of endocrine pancreas formation, and its deficiency leads to the development of diabetes in humans and mice. In the embryonic pancreas, Neurogenin3 is transiently expressed at high levels for a narrow time window to initiate endocrine differentiation in scattered progenitor cells. The mechanisms controlling these rapid and robust changes in Neurogenin3 expression are poorly understood. In this study, we characterize a Neurogenin3 positive autoregulatory loop whereby this factor may rapidly induce its own levels. We show that Neurogenin3 binds to a conserved upstream fragment of its own gene, inducing deposition of active chromatin marks and the activation of Neurog3 transcription. Additionally, we show that the broadly expressed endodermal forkhead factors Foxa1 and Foxa2 can cooperate synergistically to amplify Neurogenin3 autoregulation in vitro. However, only Foxa2 colocalizes with Neurogenin3 in pancreatic progenitors, thus indicating a primary role for this factor in regulating Neurogenin3 expression in vivo. Furthermore, in addition to decreasing Neurog3 autoregulation, inhibition of Foxa2 by RNA interference attenuates Neurogenin3-dependent activation of the endocrine developmental program in cultured duct mPAC cells. Hence, these data uncover the potential functional cooperation between the endocrine lineage-determining factor Neurogenin3 and the widespread endoderm progenitor factor Foxa2 in the implementation of the endocrine developmental program in the pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Ejarque
- Diabetes and Obesity Laboratory, Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer-Hospital Clínic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Schaffer AE, Taylor BL, Benthuysen JR, Liu J, Thorel F, Yuan W, Jiao Y, Kaestner KH, Herrera PL, Magnuson MA, May CL, Sander M. Nkx6.1 controls a gene regulatory network required for establishing and maintaining pancreatic Beta cell identity. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003274. [PMID: 23382704 PMCID: PMC3561089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
All pancreatic endocrine cell types arise from a common endocrine precursor cell population, yet the molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain the unique gene expression programs of each endocrine cell lineage have remained largely elusive. Such knowledge would improve our ability to correctly program or reprogram cells to adopt specific endocrine fates. Here, we show that the transcription factor Nkx6.1 is both necessary and sufficient to specify insulin-producing beta cells. Heritable expression of Nkx6.1 in endocrine precursors of mice is sufficient to respecify non-beta endocrine precursors towards the beta cell lineage, while endocrine precursor- or beta cell-specific inactivation of Nkx6.1 converts beta cells to alternative endocrine lineages. Remaining insulin+ cells in conditional Nkx6.1 mutants fail to express the beta cell transcription factors Pdx1 and MafA and ectopically express genes found in non-beta endocrine cells. By showing that Nkx6.1 binds to and represses the alpha cell determinant Arx, we identify Arx as a direct target of Nkx6.1. Moreover, we demonstrate that Nkx6.1 and the Arx activator Isl1 regulate Arx transcription antagonistically, thus establishing competition between Isl1 and Nkx6.1 as a critical mechanism for determining alpha versus beta cell identity. Our findings establish Nkx6.1 as a beta cell programming factor and demonstrate that repression of alternative lineage programs is a fundamental principle by which beta cells are specified and maintained. Given the lack of Nkx6.1 expression and aberrant activation of non-beta endocrine hormones in human embryonic stem cell (hESC)–derived insulin+ cells, our study has significant implications for developing cell replacement therapies. Diabetes is a disease caused by the loss or dysfunction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Recent studies suggest that modification of the beta cells' differentiation state is among the earliest events marking the progressive failure of beta cells in diabetes. Currently, very little is known about the factors that instruct cells to adopt beta cell characteristics and maintain the differentiated state of beta cells. We have discovered that a single transcription factor can instruct precursor cells of other endocrine cell types to change their identity and differentiate into beta cells. Conversely, inactivation of the transcription factor in endocrine precursors prevents their differentiation into beta cells and results in excess production of other endocrine cell types. When the factor is specifically inactivated in beta cells, beta cells lose their identity and adopt characteristics of other endocrine cell types, similar to what is seen in animal models of diabetes. Thus, we have identified a single factor that is both sufficient to program beta cells and necessary for maintaining their differentiated state. This factor could be an important target for diabetes therapy and could help reprogram other cell types into beta cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh E. Schaffer
- Department of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Brandon L. Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline R. Benthuysen
- Department of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jingxuan Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Fabrizio Thorel
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Weiping Yuan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Yang Jiao
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Klaus H. Kaestner
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Pedro L. Herrera
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mark A. Magnuson
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Catherine Lee May
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Maike Sander
- Department of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Abed A, Critchlow C, Flatt PR, McClenaghan NH, Kelly C. Directed differentiation of progenitor cells towards an islet-cell phenotype. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF STEM CELLS 2012; 1:196-204. [PMID: 23671808 PMCID: PMC3636734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 11/09/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Exogenous insulin administration and oral anti-diabetic drugs are the primary means of treating diabetes. However, tight glycaemic control, with its inherent risk of hypoglycaemia, is required to prevent the microvascular and macrovascular complications of the disease. While islet or pancreas transplantations offer a longer-term cure, their widespread application is not possible, primarily because of a lack of donor tissue, the burden of life-long immunosuppression, and eventual graft rejection. The rapid increase in the incidence of diabetes has promoted the search for alternative cell-based therapies. Here we review recent advances in the directed differentiation of both endocrine and non-endocrine progenitors towards an islet-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Abed
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Science and Technology, Keele UniversityUK
| | | | - Peter R Flatt
- Diabetes Research Group, SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, University of UlsterColeraine, UK
| | - Neville H McClenaghan
- Diabetes Research Group, SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, University of UlsterColeraine, UK
| | - Catriona Kelly
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Science and Technology, Keele UniversityUK
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20
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Li R, Oka K, Yechoor V. Neo-islet formation in liver of diabetic mice by helper-dependent adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer. J Vis Exp 2012:4321. [PMID: 23093064 PMCID: PMC3490299 DOI: 10.3791/4321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is caused by T cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Until now insulin replacement is still the major therapy, because islet transplantation has been limited by donor availability and by the need for long-term immunosuppression. Induced islet neogenesis by gene transfer of Neuogenin3 (Ngn3), the islet lineage-defining specific transcription factor and Betacellulin (Btc), an islet growth factor has the potential to cure type 1 diabetes. Adenoviral vectors (Ads) are highly efficient gene transfer vector; however, early generation Ads have several disadvantages for in vivo use. Helper-dependent Ads (HDAds) are the most advanced Ads that were developed to improve the safety profile of early generation of Ads and to prolong transgene expression(1). They lack chronic toxicity because they lack viral coding sequences(2-5) and retain only Ad cis elements necessary for vector replication and packaging. This allows cloning of up to 36 kb genes. In this protocol, we describe the method to generate HDAd-Ngn3 and HDAd-Btc and to deliver these vectors into STZ-induced diabetic mice. Our results show that co-injection of HDAd-Ngn3 and HDAd-Btc induces 'neo islets' in the liver and reverses hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongying Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
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21
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Cim A, Sawyer GJ, Zhang X, Su H, Collins L, Jones P, Antoniou M, Reynes JP, Lipps HJ, Fabre JW. In vivo studies on non-viral transdifferentiation of liver cells towards pancreatic β cells. J Endocrinol 2012; 214:277-88. [PMID: 22685335 DOI: 10.1530/joe-12-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Transdifferentiation in vivo is an attractive option for autologous replacement of pancreatic β cells in patients with type 1 diabetes. It has been achieved by adenoviral delivery of genes for transcription factors in the liver and pancreas of hyperglycaemic mice. However, these viral approaches are not clinically applicable. We used the hydrodynamic approach to deliver genes Pdx1, Ngn3 (Neurog3) and MafA singly and in combination to livers of normoglycaemic rats. Five expression plasmids were evaluated. Livers were removed 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after gene delivery and assayed by quantitative PCR, semi-quantitative PCR and immunohistology. Functional studies on hyperglycaemic rats were performed. The highest and most sustained expression was from a CpG-depleted plasmid (pCpG) and a plasmid with an in-frame scaffold/matrix attachment region ((pEPI(CMV)). When Pdx1, Ngn3 and MafA were delivered together to normoglycaemic rats with these plasmids, insulin mRNA was detected at all time points and was ~50-fold higher with pCpG. Insulin mRNA content of livers at days 3 and 7 was equivalent to that of a pancreas, with scattered insulin-positive cells detected by immunohistology, but levels declined thereafter. Prohormone convertase 1/3 was elevated at days 3 and 7. In hyperglycaemic rats, fasting blood glucose was lower at days 1, 3 and 7 but not thereafter, and body weight was maintained to day 28. We conclude that hydrodynamic gene delivery of multiple transcription factors to rat liver can initiate transdifferentiation to pancreatic β cells, but the process is reversible and probably requires more sustained transcription factor expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Cim
- Department of Hepatology and Transplantation, King's College London School of Medicine, James Black Centre, London SE5 9NU, UK
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22
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Regulation of retinal vascular permeability by betacellulin. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 723:293-8. [PMID: 22183345 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-0631-0_38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
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23
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Weir GC, Cavelti-Weder C, Bonner-Weir S. Stem cell approaches for diabetes: towards beta cell replacement. Genome Med 2011; 3:61. [PMID: 21951399 PMCID: PMC3239236 DOI: 10.1186/gm277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells hold great promise for pancreatic beta cell replacement therapy for diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, beta cells are mostly destroyed, and in type 2 diabetes beta cell numbers are reduced by 40% to 60%. The proof-of-principle that cellular transplants of pancreatic islets, which contain insulin-secreting beta cells, can reverse the hyperglycemia of type 1 diabetes has been established, and there is now a need to find an adequate source of islet cells. Human embryonic stem cells can be directed to become fully developed beta cells and there is expectation that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be similarly directed. iPS cells can also be generated from patients with diabetes to allow studies of the genomics and pathogenesis of the disease. Some alternative approaches for replacing beta cells include finding ways to enhance the replication of existing beta cells, stimulating neogenesis (the formation of new islets in postnatal life), and reprogramming of pancreatic exocrine cells to insulin-producing cells. Stem-cell-based approaches could also be used for modulation of the immune system in type 1 diabetes, or to address the problems of obesity and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. Herein, we review recent advances in our understanding of diabetes and beta cell biology at the genomic level, and we discuss how stem-cell-based approaches might be used for replacing beta cells and for treating diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon C Weir
- Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215, USA, and the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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24
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Kelly C, Flatt CCS, McClenaghan NH. Stem cell-based approaches for the treatment of diabetes. Stem Cells Int 2011; 2011:424986. [PMID: 21716654 PMCID: PMC3116622 DOI: 10.4061/2011/424986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of diabetes and the associated debilitating complications are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Current therapies for type 1 diabetes focus primarily on administration of exogenous insulin to help restore glucose homeostasis. However, such treatment rarely prevents the long-term complications of this serious metabolic disorder, including neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease. Whole pancreas or islet transplantations have enjoyed limited success in some individuals, but these approaches are hampered by the shortage of suitable donors and the burden of lifelong immunosuppression. Here, we review current approaches to differentiate nonislet cell types towards an islet-cell phenotype which may be used for larger-scale cell replacement strategies. In particular, the differentiation protocols used to direct embryonic stem cells, progenitor cells of both endocrine and nonendocrine origin, and induced pluripotent stem cells towards an islet-cell phenotype are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catriona Kelly
- SAAD Centre for Pharmacy & Diabetes, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
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25
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Wagner RT, Lewis J, Cooney A, Chan L. Stem cell approaches for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Transl Res 2010; 156:169-79. [PMID: 20801414 PMCID: PMC2935591 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2010.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Revised: 06/10/2010] [Accepted: 06/15/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by near total absence of pancreatic b cells. Current treatments consisting of insulin injections and islet transplantation are clinically unsatisfactory. In order to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes, we must find a way to reverse autoimmunity, which underlies b cell destruction, as well as an effective strategy to generate new b cells. This article reviews the different approaches that are being taken to produce new b cells. Much emphasis has been placed on selecting the right non-b cell population, either in vivo or in vitro, as the starting material. Different cell types, including adult stem cells, other types of progenitor cells in situ, and even differentiated cell populations, as well as embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, will require different methods for islet and b cell induction. We discussed the pros and cons of the different strategies that are being used to re-invent the pancreatic b cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T Wagner
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Yechoor V, Chan L. Minireview: beta-cell replacement therapy for diabetes in the 21st century: manipulation of cell fate by directed differentiation. Mol Endocrinol 2010; 24:1501-11. [PMID: 20219891 DOI: 10.1210/me.2009-0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic beta-cell failure underlies type 1 diabetes; it also contributes in an essential way to type 2 diabetes. beta-Cell replacement is an important component of any cure for diabetes. The current options of islet and pancreas transplantation are not satisfactory as definitive forms of therapy. Here, we review strategies for induced de novo pancreatic beta-cell formation, which depend on the targeted differentiation of cells into pancreatic beta-cells. With this objective in mind, one can manipulate the fate of three different types of cells: 1) from terminally differentiated cells, e.g. exocrine pancreatic cells, into beta-cells; 2) from multipotent adult stem cells, e.g. hepatic oval cells, into pancreatic islets; and 3) from pluripotent stem cells, e.g. embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, into beta-cells. We will examine the pros and cons of each strategy as well as the hurdles that must be overcome before these approaches to generate new beta-cells will be ready for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Yechoor
- One Baylor Plaza, R614, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Sena CM, Bento CF, Pereira P, Seiça R. Diabetes mellitus: new challenges and innovative therapies. EPMA J 2010; 1:138-63. [PMID: 23199048 PMCID: PMC3405309 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-010-0010-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2009] [Accepted: 02/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a widespread disease prevalence and incidence of which increases worldwide. The introduction of insulin therapy represented a major breakthrough in type 1 diabetes; however, frequent hyper- and hypoglycemia seriously affects the quality of life of these patients. New therapeutic approaches, such as whole pancreas transplant or pancreatic islet transplant, stem cell, gene therapy and islets encapsulation are discussed in this review. Regarding type 2 diabetes, therapy has been based on drugs that stimulate insulin secretion (sulphonylureas and rapid-acting secretagogues), reduce hepatic glucose production (biguanides), delay digestion and absorption of intestinal carbohydrate (alpha-glucosidase inhibitors) or improve insulin action (thiazolidinediones). This review is also focused on the newer therapeutically approaches such as incretin-based therapies, bariatric surgery, stem cells and other emerging therapies that promise to further extend the options available. Gene-based therapies are among the most promising emerging alternatives to conventional treatments. Some of these therapies rely on genetic modification of non-differentiated cells to express pancreatic endocrine developmental factors, promoting differentiation of non-endocrine cells into β-cells, enabling synthesis and secretion of insulin in a glucose-regulated manner. Alternative therapies based on gene silencing using vector systems to deliver interference RNA to cells (i.e. against VEGF in diabetic retinopathy) are also a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of several diabetic complications. In conclusion, treatment of diabetes faces now a new era that is characterized by a variety of innovative therapeutic approaches that will improve quality-life and allow personalized therapy-planning in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina M. Sena
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Subunit 1, polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
- IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla F. Bento
- IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paulo Pereira
- IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel Seiça
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Subunit 1, polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-354 Coimbra, Portugal
- IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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