ISX-9 marks the spot for better beta cell differentiation.

ISX-9 expands PDX1+/NKX6-1+ pancreatic progenitors and increases beta-like cell yield and function in stem cell-derived islets for type 1 diabetes.

• Why it matters: Type 1 diabetes needs better ways to generate insulin-secreting beta-like cells from stem cells, but progenitor identity control remains a key bottleneck.
• What they did: Zhao, Liang et al. used ISX-9 to modulate extracellular matrix signaling and measured effects on PDX1+/NKX6-1+ progenitors and downstream beta-like cell output and performance.
• The result: The findings link extracellular matrix cues to progenitor identity and suggest ISX-9 can improve beta-like cell differentiation from stem cell-derived islets.

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