Differentiation of regenerating pancreatic cells into hepatocyte-like cells.

Differentiation is the process by which multicellular organisms achieve the specialized functions necessary for adaptation and survival. An in vivo model in the Syrian golden hamster is described in which regenerating pancreatic cells are converted into hepatocyte-like cells, as evidenced by the presence of albumin, peroxisomes, and a variety of morphological markers. These cells are stable after the conversion is triggered by a single dose of the carcinogen N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine administered during the S phase in regenerating pancreatic cells. This suggests that, given the proper stimulus, regenerating cells in adult pancreas can be redirected into a totally different pathway of differentiation.