Role of small bioorganic molecules in stem cell differentiation to insulin-producing cells

The use of small specific molecules has been instrumental in the modulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation to obtain insulin-containing cells. Examples include nutrients (glucose, nicotinamide and retinoic acid), acids (butyrate), alkaloids (cyclopamine and conophylline) and pharmacological agents (LY294002 and wortmannin). These molecules, alone or in combination with specific growth factors and hormones, will likely provide key information to design specific culture media in order to obtain customized cells for implantation in diabetes. In addition, the study of such molecules will help to understand the mechanisms involved in stem cell biology as well as contribute to the design of specific drugs for islet repair and regeneration in diabetes.

Stem cells have proven to be of great interest for diabetes treatment. This pathology is caused by β-cell destruction. Obtaining insulin-secreting β-cells from stem cells to implant in diabetic patients is a therapeutic alternative to consider. Bioorganic compounds can help in the control of in vitro differentiation processes towards β-cell-like fates.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide