The overall goal of our research is to better understand normal in vivo mechanisms of pancreatic differentiation so that we may later apply this knowledge to the creation of engineered cells for replacement therapy and cure of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. We have focused our studies on extracellular signaling mechanisms, since such pathways could more easily be applied to the stem cell populations currently available, and preliminary data in stem cell laboratories have shown some promising early success with the ability of these stem cell populations to be manipulated toward an insulin-positive phenotype. Our laboratory has extensive experience in the study of embryonic pancreatic development and, in particular, mesenchymal influences on pancreatic epithelial differentiation and lineage selection. In this grant proposal we wish to study the basic mechanisms of action of activin and BMP signaling in pancreatic lineage selection, as well as potential interplay between these two signaling pathways. Our central hypothesis is that these two pathways are critical to controlling endocrine (activin-induced) or exocrine/acinar (BMP-induced) differentiation, and that competition between these two pathways determines the net exocrine versus endocrine compartment differentiation in the early embryonic pancreas.
In specific aim 1, we will better define the pathways and roles of activin signaling molecules and downstream smads, and then test the potential utility of activin pathways in engineering pancreatic endocrine cells from pancreatic epithelial precursor cells through simple smad-blocking studies.
In specific aim 2, an analysis of specific aspects of the BMP signaling pathway and its inhibitors will be studied for a potential pro-exocrine and anti-endocrine role in pancreatic development. Lastly, since activin and BMP signaling are well known to affect one another, in specific aim 3 we will study potential mechanisms for interplay between these two signaling pathways that may contribute to overall lineage selection in the developing pancreas. Overall, through these proposed studies, we hope to better understand the specific extracellular signaling pathways that may be usable for the manipulation of stem cells or pancreatic progenitor cells into becoming insulin-positive beta-cells for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01DK064952-01A1
Application #
6779340
Study Section
Metabolism Study Section (MET)
Program Officer
Serrano, Jose
Project Start
2004-04-15
Project End
2009-03-31
Budget Start
2004-04-15
Budget End
2005-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$321,950
Indirect Cost
Name
Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, MO)
Department
Type
DUNS #
073067480
City
Kansas City
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
64108
Xiao, Xiangwei; Guo, Ping; Shiota, Chiyo et al. (2018) Endogenous Reprogramming of Alpha Cells into Beta Cells, Induced by Viral Gene Therapy, Reverses Autoimmune Diabetes. Cell Stem Cell 22:78-90.e4
Gittes, George K (2016) Multiple roles for TGF? receptor type II in regulating the pancreatic response in acute pancreatitis. J Pathol 238:603-5
Guo, Ping; Preuett, Barry; Krishna, Prasadan et al. (2014) Barrier function of the coelomic epithelium in the developing pancreas. Mech Dev 134:67-79
El-Gohary, Yousef; Tulachan, Sidhartha; Wiersch, John et al. (2014) A smad signaling network regulates islet cell proliferation. Diabetes 63:224-36
Guo, Ping; Xiao, Xiangwei; El-Gohary, Yousef et al. (2013) Specific transduction and labeling of pancreatic ducts by targeted recombinant viral infusion into mouse pancreatic ducts. Lab Invest 93:1241-53
Xiao, Xiangwei; Wiersch, John; El-Gohary, Yousef et al. (2013) TGF? receptor signaling is essential for inflammation-induced but not ?-cell workload-induced ?-cell proliferation. Diabetes 62:1217-26
Xiao, Xiangwei; Guo, Ping; Shiota, Chiyo et al. (2013) Neurogenin3 activation is not sufficient to direct duct-to-beta cell transdifferentiation in the adult pancreas. J Biol Chem 288:25297-308
Xiao, Xiangwei; Guo, Ping; Chen, Zean et al. (2013) Hypoglycemia reduces vascular endothelial growth factor A production by pancreatic beta cells as a regulator of beta cell mass. J Biol Chem 288:8636-46
Xiao, Xiangwei; Chen, Zean; Shiota, Chiyo et al. (2013) No evidence for ? cell neogenesis in murine adult pancreas. J Clin Invest 123:2207-17
El-Gohary, Yousef; Tulachan, Sidhartha; Guo, Ping et al. (2013) Smad signaling pathways regulate pancreatic endocrine development. Dev Biol 378:83-93

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