Role of FGF1, FGF2 and FGF7 in the development of the pancreas from control and streptozotocin-treated hamsters.

Although progress has been made with respect to the growth and transcription factors implicated in pancreatic development, many questions remain unsolved. It has been established that during embryonic life, both endocrine and acinar cells are derived from pancreatic epithelial precursor cells. Growth factors control the proliferation of precursor cells and their ability to differentiate into mature cells, both in pre-natal and in early post-natal life.