[Expression of Nestin, CK19, insulin, glucagon and somatostatin in embryonic pancreas].

Aim: To investigate the expression of Nestin, CK19, insulin, glucagon and somatostatin in the development of embryonic pancreas.

Method: Sample collection was conducted in accordance to the principle of informed consent. Immunohistochemical SABC method and LAB-SA for double satining were used to study the expression of the molecules in human embryonic pancreas.

Results: (1) There are few nestin-positive cells in the stroma of the embryonic pancreas. CK19 is consistently expressed in the epithelial cells of pancreatic ducts. (2) From 7 weeks of gestation, pancreatic duct epithelial cells begin to differentiate into insulin, glucagon and somatostatin-positive cells.

Conclusion: Nestin-positive pancrease stem cells are in the stroma of human embryonic pancrease. Pancreatic duct epithelial cells differentiate into islet cells secreting insulin at the early stage of embryonic development.