The combined effect of Pdx1 overexpression and Shh manipulation on the function of insulin‐producing cells derived from adipose‐tissue stem cells

• Published in: FEBS open bio 2018-03, Vol.8 (3), p.372-382
• Main Authors: Hashemi Tabar, Mahmoud, Tabandeh, Mohammad Reza, Moghimipour, Eskandar, Dayer, Dian, Ghadiri, Ata A., Allah Bakhshi, Elham, Orazizadeh, Mahmoud, Ghafari, Mohammad Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells; Antibodies; Beta cells; Blood glucose; Body fat; Cell differentiation; Cell therapy; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; DNA; Gene expression; Glucose; Hedgehog protein; Homeobox; Insulin; Insulin secretion; insulin‐producing cells; Islet-1 protein; Laboratory animals; Mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchyme; Nkx2.2 protein; Nkx6.1 protein; Ovaries; Pancreas; Pdx1; Penicillin; Proteins; Secretion; sonic hedgehog pathway; Stem cell transplantation; Stem cells
• ISSN: 2211-5463; 2211-5463
• DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12378

Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) are the key regulators of beta‐cell function. In vitro experiments have shown that there is significant cooperation between Pdx1 and Shh with regard to the production and maintenance of insulin‐producing cells (IPCs). In this study, the combined effect of Pdx1 overexpression and Shh manipulation on the function of adipose tissue‐derived IPCs was determined. A eukaryotic expression vector (Pdx1‐pCDNA3.1(+)) was constructed and transfected into a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. Adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) obtained from rats were assigned to two groups [control (C) and manipulated (M)] and differentiated into IPCs. Manipulated cells were treated with a mixture of FGF‐β and cyclopamine and recombinant Shh protein at days 3 and 11, respectively, and transfected with Pdx1‐pCDNA3.1(+) at day 10. The expression of multiple genes related to function of beta cells was analyzed using real‐time PCR. The functionality of IPCs in vitro was analyzed through dithizone (DTZ) staining and ELISA. IPCs were injected into the tail vein of diabetic rats, and blood glucose and insulin concentrations were measured. CHO cells transfected with Pdx1‐pCDNA3.1(+) showed a significantly higher expression of Pdx1 compared with nontransfected cells. Manipulated IPCs exhibited a significantly higher expression of MafA, Nkx2.2, Nkx6.1, Ngn3, insulin, and Isl1 and a higher insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge in relation to control cells. Rats that received manipulated IPCs exhibited a higher ability to normalize blood glucose and insulin secretion when compared to controls. Our protocol might be used for more efficient cell therapy of patients with diabetes in the future. The pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) proteins are two necessary factors for pancreatic development and function. In this study, the Shh pathway was manipulated and Pdx1 was overexpressed in adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells for production of insulin‐producing cells (IPCs). Manipulated IPCs expressed higher levels of genes related to pancreatic function and maturation in relation to normal differentiated IPCs.