Figure 4
From: STAT3 suppression and β-cell ablation enhance α-to-β reprogramming mediated by Pdx1
Alloxan-induced β-cell ablation promotes α-to-β reprogramming by Pdx1. (A) Experimental design of β-cell ablation and induction of α-to-β reprogramming. At 6 weeks of age, alloxan was administered into the αPdx1; Stat3KO mice. For the induction of Cre-mediated recombination, mice were subcutaneously injected with 4 mg of tamoxifen 3 times over a 1-week period. (B) Immunostaining for FLAG-tagged Pdx1 (green), glucagon (white) and insulin (red) in pancreas sections of αPdx1; Stat3KO mice 2 weeks after alloxan and tamoxifen administration. Scale bars, 50 μm. Magnified images of the dotted square regions are shown below each image. (C) The percentage of reprogrammed-β cells among FLAG-tag positive cells. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.005 (n = 3–5 in each group) (D) Percentage of α cell area among whole pancreas area (n = 3 in each group).
