Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Insulin-Producing Islet Clusters
08:41

Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Insulin-Producing Islet Clusters

Published on: June 23, 2023

Insulin-producing cells derived from stem/progenitor cells: therapeutic implications for diabetes mellitus

Yuichi Hori1

  • 1Department of Surgery, Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan. horiy@med.kobe-u.ac.jp

Medical Molecular Morphology
|December 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Stem cell strategies offer a promising solution for diabetes mellitus, addressing the shortage of pancreatic islets for transplantation and improving glucose regulation. This review explores recent advancements in regenerative medicine for diabetes treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent pancreatic disease.
  • Current insulin therapy has limitations in glucose control, leading to complications.
  • There is a critical shortage of pancreatic islets for transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent progress in stem cell-based strategies for diabetes.
  • To explore the potential of regenerative medicine in diabetes treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of stem cell-based therapies for diabetes.
  • Analysis of recent advancements in islet-replacement tissue development.

Main Results:

  • Stem cell-based approaches are emerging as a viable alternative for diabetes treatment.
  • Progress has been made in developing renewable sources of islet-replacement tissue.

Conclusions:

  • Stem cell strategies hold significant promise for the future treatment of diabetes mellitus.
  • Regenerative medicine offers a pathway to overcome the limitations of current diabetes therapies.

More Related Videos

Efficient Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells to NKX6-1+ Pancreatic Progenitors09:23

Efficient Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells to NKX6-1+ Pancreatic Progenitors

Published on: March 7, 2017

Related Concept Videos

iPS Cell Differentiation01:22

iPS 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.
Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells01:23

Tissue 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...
Stem Cell Culture01:17

Stem 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...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation01:25

Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of pancreatic β-cells synthesizes preproinsulin, which consists of a signal peptide, A and B chains, and a C-peptide. Preproinsulin is then cleaved and folded into proinsulin, which translocates to the Golgi apparatus for sorting and packaging into secretory granules. In these granules, enzymatic clipping generates insulin and C-peptide.
Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment primarily uses...