ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether nestin-positive cells can be isolated from human fetal pancreases and cultured in vitro for passages. Methods The islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were isolated from pancreases of induced human fetuses at 16, 18, 20 gestational weeks and cultured subsequently. Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of the nestin, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox gene-1 (PDX-1/IPF-1), islet endocrine hormone insulin and glucagon. Results Nestin-positive cells, which may further transform into sphere cell clusters that include PDX-1, insulin and glucagon expressing cells, as well as nestin-positive cells, were isolated from the ICCs in vitro and cultured with several passages. Conclusions The nestin-positive cells can be isolated from fetal pancreases, and may have the capability to proliferate and differentiate into islet endocrine cells.