Figure 4.

Small molecules and β cell induction. Liver epithelial stem-like white blood (WB) cells can be reprogrammed into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) by sequential protocol using small molecules [68]. In the first stage, WB cells are dedifferentiated with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-AZA) and Trichostatin A (TSA). Then, retinoic acid (RA) and a mix of insulin, transferrin and selenite (ITS) are added to induce PDX1-positive pancreatic precursor cells. Nicotinamide promotes maturation of IPCs in the last stage.