Three novel human insulin-releasing cell lines designated 1.1 B4, 1.4 E7, and 1.1 E7 were
generated by electrofusion of freshly isolated of human pancreatic beta cells and the
immortal human PANC-1 epithelial cell line. Functional studies demonstrated glucose
sensitivity and responsiveness to known modulators of insulin secretion. Western blot, RT-
PCR, and immunohistochemistry showed expression of the major genes involved in
proinsulin processing and the pancreatic beta cell stimulus-secretion pathway including …