Fig. 1From: Enhanced differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into pancreatic endocrine cells in 3D culture by inhibition of focal adhesion kinaseDifferentiation of human embryonic stem cells to pancreatic endocrine cells. a Schematic overview of the protocols used for the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into pancreatic endocrine cells (PECs). The hESCs are differentiated through the stages of definitive endoderm (DEs), primitive gut tube (PGTs), pancreatic progenitors (PPs), and endocrine precursors (EPs) to yield PECs using a 4-stage protocol. In stage 4, PPs were either cultured in 2D to produce EPs-2D and PECs-2D or transferred to 3D culture for differentiation into EPs-3D and PECs-3D. b–i Representative morphology of hESCs (b), DEs (c), PGTs (d), PPs (e), EPs-2D (f), PECs-2D (g), EPs-3D (h), and PECs-3D (i). Scale bars, 50 μm. j qRT-PCR analysis of DE-specific transcription factors (SOX17 and FOXA2), pancreas-specific transcriptional factors (PDX1, NKX6.1, and NGN3), endocrine cell-specific transcription factors (PAX6 and ISL1), and pancreatic hormones (INS, GCG, and SST) in hESCs, DEs, PPs, EPs-3D, and PECs-3DBack to article page