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Stem cells in diabetes: what has been achieved.
1Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Section on Islet Transplantation and Cell Biology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Mass. 02215, USA. susan.bonner-weir@joslin.harvard.edu
Hormone Research
|December 13, 2003
Summary
Generating new insulin-producing beta-cells from stem cells is crucial for diabetes therapy. Research explores both embryonic and adult stem cells, showing promise but requiring further development for clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Beta-cell replacement therapy, particularly islet transplantation, is gaining traction for diabetes treatment.
- Limited availability of insulin-producing cells hinders widespread therapeutic application.
- Stem cells, both embryonic and adult, are the most promising sources for generating new beta-cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current strategies and challenges in deriving insulin-producing cells from stem cells for diabetes therapy.
- To assess the potential of embryonic and adult stem cells as sources for beta-cell regeneration.
- To highlight the ongoing research and future prospects in this rapidly evolving field.
Main Methods:
- Review of published studies on generating insulin-producing cells from mouse embryonic stem cells using gene trapping and modified neural cell protocols.
- Exploration of adult stem cell sources, including bone marrow, non-pancreas tissue resident SP cells, and adult pancreatic tissues.
- Investigation into the hypothesis that mature duct epithelial cells may serve as a functional source for new adult beta-cells.
Main Results:
- Successful generation of insulin-expressing cells from mouse embryonic stem cells via distinct strategies.
- Demonstrated potential of embryonic stem cells, with optimism for human applications.
- In vitro generation of insulin-producing cells from adult pancreatic tissues, though challenges in expansion and differentiation persist for adult stem cells.
Conclusions:
- Embryonic stem cells show significant potential for generating insulin-producing cells, paving the way for potential human applications.
- Deriving functional beta-cells from adult stem cells remains challenging, with ongoing research into pancreatic ductal cells and other sources.
- The field of stem cell-derived beta-cells is nascent, requiring continued research and rigorous assessment to realize its therapeutic potential for diabetes.