Method of differentiating mammalian progenitor cells into insulin producing pancreatic islet cells

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for differentiating progenitor cells into insulin producing pancreatic islet cells and compositions and methods for using such cells.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for evaluating the toxicity of a compound in vitro, comprising:
 (a) contacting a pancreatic β islet-like cell differentiated from progenitor cells with the compound; and   (b) measuring the viability of the pancreatic β islet-like cell,   wherein a decrease in viability in the presence of said compound compared to that in the absence of said compound indicates that said compound is toxic in vivo, and   wherein the differentiation comprises:   (i) incubating the progenitor cells in serum-free pre-induction media comprising sodium butyrate; and, subsequently,   (ii) incubating the progenitor cell in induction media comprising knock-out replacement serum;   for a time sufficient to differentiate the progenitor cells into insulin producing pancreatic cells.   
     
     
         9 . A method for evaluating the activity of a compound in vitro, comprising:
 (a) contacting a metabolically active pancreatic β islet-like cell differentiated from progenitor cells with the compound; and   (b) measuring the metabolic activity of the pancreatic β islet-like cell,   wherein a decrease or increase in metabolic activity in the presence of the compound compared to that in the absence of the compound indicates that the compound has activity in vivo, and   
       wherein the differentiation comprises:
 (i) incubating the progenitor cells in serum-free pre-induction media comprising sodium butyrate; and, subsequently, 
 (ii) incubating the progenitor cell in induction media comprising knock-out replacement serum; 
 for a time sufficient to differentiate the progenitor cells into insulin producing pancreatic cells.