Fetal pancreatic tissues can be a promising source for pancreatic progenitor cells (PPCs). In this regard, we have successfully isolated and characterized a population of fetal PPCs from first trimester human fetal pancreas using a previously established basic protocol. Upon exposure to a cocktail of conventional growth factors, these PPCs are amenable to differentiate into insulin-secreting islet-like cell clusters (ICCs); however, these ICCs have yet to exert additional efforts to direct to glucose-responsive cells. To address this issue, we have proposed two novel morphogenic factors in the present study, namely PDZ-domain-containing 2 (PDZD2) and angiotensin II (Ang II), a physiologically active peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), that potentially promote the differentiation and maturation of PPCs/ICCs. / In light of these findings, we conclude that we have discovered two novel mechanisms, the PDZD2 and Ang II/AT2 receptor signaling pathways, in the regulation of the development of PPCs/ICCs, thus implying their novel roles during islet development in vivo. The present study provides a "proof-of-principle" that a local RAS is critically involved in governing islet cell development. This work may contribute to devising protocols for maturation of pancreatic progenitors for clinical islet transplantation. / Local RASs have been reported to regulate the differentiation of tissue progenitor cells. It has yet to be confirmed whether such systems exist and govern the PPC development. To address this issue, we herein provided evidence that expression of RAS components was highly regulated throughout PPC differentiation. Locally generated Ang II was found to maintain PPC growth and differentiation via mediation of the Ang II type 1 and type 2 (AT1 and AT 2) receptors. We found that the AT2, but not AT1, receptor was a key mediator of Ang II-induced upregulation of beta-cell transcription factors. Transplantation of AT2 receptor-depleted ICCs into immune-privileged diabetic mice failed to ameliorate hyperglycemia, implying that AT2 receptors are indispensable during ICC maturation in vivo. / PDZD2 and its secreted form (sPDZD2) have been found to express in our fetal PPCs. We first evaluated the potential role of sPDZD2 in stimulating PPC differentiation and established an optimal concentration for such stimulation. We found that 10-9 M sPDZD2 promoted PPC differentiation, as evidenced by the up-regulation of the pancreatic endocrine markers and C-peptide content in the ICCs. It enhanced their expression of the L-type voltage-gated calcium ion channel (Cav1.2) and conferred an ability to secrete insulin in response to membrane depolarization. Yet these ICCs remained glucose-unresponsive because of the minimal expression of GLUT-2. We thus attempted to study another potential morphogenic candidate, Ang II. / To further test whether a functional RAS is present and if so, whether it regulates islet development in vivo, we employed a mouse embryo model at different embryonic days and reported a stronger AT2 receptor expression during the 2nd developmental transition of pancreas development. AT2 receptor blockade from e8.0 resulted in abnormalities in fetal pancreatic development. Neonates from these mother mice displayed destructed pancreas/islet architecture, a hampered ability in glucose-stimulated insulin-secretion possibly attributed to a decreased ratio of beta-cell to alpha-cell, and an impaired glucose tolerance at 4-wk old. / Leung, Kwan Keung. / Adviser: Po Sing Leung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 254-284). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.