Review Article

Pancreatic Progenitors and Organoids as a Prerequisite to Model Pancreatic Diseases and Cancer

Table 1

Comparison of in vitro pancreatic endocrine differentiation protocols.

Kieffer (Rezania et al.)Melton (Pagliuca et al.)Hebrok (Russ et al.)

Culture systemMonolayer followed by air-liquid interphaseSuspension in spinner flasksSuspension on orbital shaker
Cell linesH1, iPSC lineHUES8, 2 iPSC linesMel1 InsGFP/W
Divergent conditionsVitamin C from PGT stage to PE stage; protein kinase C (PKC) activator TPB after the PGT and PFG stages; SHH/BMP inhibition after the PGT stage; thyroid hormone, heparin, and EGFR ligand after the PE stage; vitamin E analog, AXL inhibitor, and N-Cys at the β-cell stage; total 27-43 daysMedia change every other day after d2; PKC activator PdBU after the PGT stage; Notch inhibition and EGF signaling after the PP2 stage; total 27-34 daysTGFβ-inhibitor after the DE stage; RA analog only in high glucose medium after the GT stage; EGF after the PP1 stage; BMP inhibition and FGF signaling after the PP2 stage; no growth factors after the EP stage; shortened time intervals (total 21 days)
Efficiency PP70% NKX6.1+/PDX1+ (PP), 76% (immature β-cells)>55% NKX6.1+/PDX1+ (PP2)80% NKX6.1+/PDX1+ (d9)
Efficiency beta cells40% PDX1+/INS+ (maturing β-cells)33% PDX1+/C-peptide+ (functional β-cells)25% PDX1+/C-peptide+ (β-like cells)
In vivo transplantation (mouse)Human C-peptide within 2 weeks after transplantation, ameliorates hyperglycemia after d40 posttransplantationHuman C-peptide within 2 weeks after transplantation, ameliorates progressive hyperglycemiaHuman C-peptide within 7-10d after transplantation, reduces STZ-induced hyperglycemia