IGF-1 and somatocrinin trigger islet differentiation in human amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Aim: To induce differentiation of human amniotic membrane derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMMSCs) into insulin producing cells (IPCs) by treating with somatocrinin or growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

Main Method: In this investigation, we cultivated and characterized hAMMSCs and then treated with IGF-1 and somatocrinin to find out whether this combination gives better yield of insulin producing cells. We showed that hAMMSCs can give rise to IPCs on exposure to serum-free defined media containing specific growth factors and differentiating agents in presence of IGF-1 and somatocrinin.