The Lund team has also found that a gene called Cdc42 is fundamental for these processes. This was demonstrated in so-called knock-out mice where this gene had been removed. Without Cdc42 no tubes are formed in the pancreas, and with no tubes the environment that dominates is the kind that is normally found around cells that produce enzymes. The Lund scientists show in their 11-page article how this leads to a pancreas that only generates enzyme-producing cells, at the expense of the important insulin-producing beta cells.

These findings provide fundamentally important new knowledge in basic science that may be applied in future medical treatments. Research on stem cell treatment of type-1 diabetes can now take several steps forward, with the new understanding of how immature cells develop into beta cells. The results will also help the insight into diseases where organ failure is due to cyst formation in tubes, such as in the kidneys and the liver.

Henrik Semb's research team has studied tube formation, cell differentiation and the role of Cdc42 in these processes for many years. This is the type of dedicated work required to be published in a major Cell article.

"It has often been tempting to pause and publish the various partial findings in other journals. But we have had a superb team that has managed to sustain its enthusiasm and energy," he says.

Source: Lund University