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Functional, metabolic and transcriptional maturation of human pancreatic islets derived from stem cells

  • Diego Balboa
  • , Tom Barsby
  • , Vaino Lithovius
  • , Jonna Saarimaki-Vire
  • , Muhmmad Omar-Hmeadi
  • , Oleg Dyachok
  • , Hossam Montaser
  • , Per-Eric Lund
  • , Mingyu Yang
  • , Hazem Ibrahim
  • , Anna Naatanen
  • , Vikash Chandra
  • , Helena Vihinen
  • , Eija Jokitalo
  • , Jouni Kvist
  • , Jarkko Ustinov
  • , Anni I. Nieminen
  • , Emilia Kuuluvainen
  • , Ville Hietakangas
  • , Pekka Katajisto
  • Joey Lau, Per-Ola Carlsson, Sebastian Barg, Anders Tengholm, Timo Otonkoski

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Abstract

Transplantation of pancreatic islet cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells is a promising treatment for diabetes. Despite progress in the generation of stem-cell-derived islets (SC-islets), no detailed characterization of their functional properties has been conducted. Here, we generated functionally mature SC-islets using an optimized protocol and benchmarked them comprehensively against primary adult islets. Biphasic glucose-stimulated insulin secretion developed during in vitro maturation, associated with cytoarchitectural reorganization and the increasing presence of alpha cells. Electrophysiology, signaling and exocytosis of SC-islets were similar to those of adult islets. Glucose-responsive insulin secretion was achieved despite differences in glycolytic and mitochondrial glucose metabolism. Single-cell transcriptomics of SC-islets in vitro and throughout 6 months of engraftment in mice revealed a continuous maturation trajectory culminating in a transcriptional landscape closely resembling that of primary islets. Our thorough evaluation of SC-islet maturation highlights their advanced degree of functionality and supports their use in further efforts to understand and combat diabetes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1042-1055
Number of pages18
JournalNature Biotechnology
Volume40
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

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