Adipocyte · Available online 18 Jan 2026 · In press · DOI 10.1080/21623945.2025.2610544
Stem cell-based therapies are emerging as a promising treatment for diabetes by differentiating these cells into insulin-producing cells (IPCs). However, using growth factors for differentiation has always been challenging. Physical differentiation of stem cells presents a promising approach to reduce reliance on chemical growth factors. One method of physical cell differentiation is cell imprinting. This study aimed to physically induce the differentiation of rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rADSCs) into β-like cells using the cell-imprinting technique. For this purpose, RIN-5F cells were used to transfer their geometry and cell-specific topographies to a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. After cell imprinting, the rADSCs were seeded on the substrate, and their differentiation into β-like cells was evaluated after 14 and 21 days by assessing insulin production using dithizone staining and ELISA, as well as real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry (ICC) for expression analysis of the genes effective in cell differentiation into β-like cells, including PDX1, NKX6.1, NGN3, and insulin. The results of dithizone staining and ELISA confirmed insulin secretion by differentiated cells compared to stem cells (p ≤ 0.05). Real-time PCR and ICC results showed that after 21 days, the differentiated cells expressed key β-cell genes significantly more than stem cells (p ≤ 0.05).
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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