Cell therapy approaches for the treatment of diabetes

Pancreatic beta-cell replacement represents an attractive approach for treatment of type 1 and insulin-requiring type 2 diabetic patients. This prospect is currently restricted by the limited availability of donor cells. Recent developments, including beta-cell expansion by reversible immortalization, and generation of beta-cells by differentiation from embryonic and adult tissue progenitor cells, may provide abundant sources of cultured human beta-cells. Such cells could be genetically modified, as well as encapsulated in semi-permeable membranes, to increase their resistance to recurring autoimmunity (in type 1 diabetics) and to beta-cell degenerative agents (in type 2 diabetics).