Transcription Factor-Directed Differentiation of Stem Cells Along an Endocrine Lineage.

Loss of endocrine gland function from a variety of causes (e.g., autoimmune destruction, infection, injury) is commonly encountered in clinical endocrinology. Although hormone replacement is generally adequate to replace the basic function of the gland and maintain viability, it typically cannot reproduce the intricate regulation of hormone secretion. Thus, despite the availability of hormone replacement, those who require it are often at risk for the development of long-term problems (e.g., microvascular complications or severe hypoglycemia in diabetes, complications of long-term overreplacement of hydrocortisone or inadequate hydrocortisone replacement during times of stress). Thus cell replacement therapy capable of restoring endocrine function similar to that of the native gland would represent a major therapeutic advance. To that end, the differentiation of stem cells to generate new endocrine cells offers great potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]