Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
04:09
Prospective, Randomized, and Controlled Study of a Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection for Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Published on: March 3, 2023
Diabetes mellitus: a potential target for stem cell therapy
Christopher J Burns1, Shanta J Persaud, Peter M Jones
1Division of Immunology and Endocrinology, National Institute for Biological Standardisation and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 3QG, UK. cburns@nibsc.ac.uk
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy
|January 29, 2008
Summary
Stem cell medicine offers new hope for Type 1 diabetes treatment by replacing destroyed insulin-producing beta-cells. Researchers are exploring various stem cell sources and differentiation methods to create effective and safe cell therapies.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology and regenerative medicine
- Immunology and autoimmune diseases
- Endocrinology and metabolic disorders
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes involves autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta-cells, leading to insulin deficiency.
- Islet transplantation offers a cure but is limited by donor tissue availability.
- Stem cell-based therapies are emerging as a promising alternative for beta-cell replacement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review essential requirements for beta-cell replacement materials.
- To evaluate potential stem cell sources for therapeutic beta-cells.
- To discuss strategies for avoiding immune rejection in cell transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on stem cell sources (embryonic, adult, iPSCs) and differentiation protocols.
- Evaluation of stem cell populations for functional insulin expression and therapeutic potential.
- Analysis of strategies for generating immunologically distinct beta-like cells.
Main Results:
- Various stem cell sources, including embryonic stem (ES) cells and multipotent adult stem/progenitor cells, show potential for generating insulin-producing cells.
- Autologous transplant material from human ES (hES) cells and some adult stem cells could eliminate the need for immunosuppression.
- Deriving cells from non-beta-cell origins may offer a way to evade autoimmune attack.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell-derived beta-cells hold significant promise for Type 1 diabetes therapy.
- Challenges include ensuring cell safety (e.g., preventing malignancy), achieving reproducible differentiation, overcoming immune rejection, and addressing ethical concerns.
- Further research is needed to translate these findings into clinical applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells
After cellular or tissue damage, the resident stem cells present in the human body can locally repair and regenerate the damaged tissue or organ. However, even though some tissues do not have stem cells, they can repair and regenerate with the help of pre-existing cells. For example, beta cells of the pancreas and hepatocytes of the liver can divide to renew and regenerate the tissue. Here, both cell division and cell death are well regulated by homeostasis.
However, failure of such a system...
However, failure of such a system...
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
01:26Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...