Human omentum fat-derived mesenchymal stem cells transdifferentiates into pancreatic islet-like cluster

Current protocols of islet cell transplantation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus have been hampered by islet availability and allograft rejection. Although bone marrow and subcutaneous adipose tissue stem cells feature their tissue repair efficacy, applicability of stem cells from various sources is being researched to develop a promising therapy for diabetes mellitus. Although omentum fat has emerged as an innovative source of stem cells, the dearth of researches confirming its transdifferentiation potential limits its applicability as a regenerative tool in diabetic therapy. Thus, this work is a maiden attempt to explore the colossal potency of omentum fat‐derived stem cells on its lucrative differentiation ability. The plasticity of omentum fat stem cells was substantiated by transdifferentiation into pancreatic islet‐like clusters, which was confirmed by dithizone staining and immunocytochemistry for insulin. It was also confirmed by the expression of pancreatic endocrine markers nestin and pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx 1) using Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS), neurogenic 3, islet‐1 transcription factor, paired box gene 4, Pdx 1 and insulin using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and through insulin secretion assay. This study revealed the in vitro differentiation potency of omentum fat stem cells into pancreatic islet‐like clusters. However, further research pursuits exploring its in vivo endocrine efficacy would make omentum fat stem cells a superior source for β‐cell replacement therapy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.