Pax4 Gene Delivery Improves Islet Transplantation Efficacy by Promoting β Cell Survival and α-to-β Cell Transdifferentiation.

The transcription factor Pax4 plays an essential role in the development of insulin-producing β cells in pancreatic islets. Ectopic Pax4 expression not only promotes β cell survival but also induces α-to-β cell transdifferentiation. This dual functionality of Pax4 makes it an appealing therapeutic target for the treatment of insulin-deficient type 1 diabetes (T1D).