Ductal structures of the adult pancreas contain stem cells that differentiate
into islets of Langerhans. Here, we grew pancreatic ductal epithelial cells
isolated from prediabetic adult non-obese diabetic mice in long-term cultures,
where they were induced to produce functioning islets containing ,
and cells. These in vitro-generated islets showed temporal
changes in mRNA transcripts for islet cell-associated differentiation markers,
responded in vitro to glucose challenge, and reversed insulin-dependent
diabetes after being implanted into diabetic non-obese diabetic mice. The
ability to control growth and differentiation of islet stem cells provides
an abundant islet source for -cell reconstitution in type I diabetes.
, 
and 
cells. These in vitro-generated islets showed temporal
changes in mRNA transcripts for islet cell-associated differentiation markers,
responded in vitro to glucose challenge, and reversed insulin-dependent
diabetes after being implanted into diabetic non-obese diabetic mice. The
ability to control growth and differentiation of islet stem cells provides
an abundant islet source for 
