title: Stem cells therapy for type 1 diabetes.
abstract: In this article, we have reviewed the developments of studies of stem cells therapy for type 1 diabetes since this century. Review of the literature was based on computer searches (PubMed) and our studies. Type 1 diabetes can now be ameliorated by islet transplantation, but this treatment is restricted by the scarcity of islet tissue. Hopes for a limitless supply of a substitute for primary islets of Langerhans and progress in stem cell biology have led to research into the feasibility of stem/progenitor cells to generate insulin-producing cells to use in replacement therapies for diabetes. An increasing body of evidence indicated that, in addition to embryonic stem cells, several potential adult stem/progenitor cells, derived from pancreas, liver, spleen, and bone marrow could differentiate into insulin-producing cells in vitro or in vivo. However, significant controversy currently exists in this field. Moreover, safe suppression of autoimmunity or specific tolerance to auto-antigens for patients with type 1 diabetes must be achieved before this promising new technology can lead to a great progress in clinical practice. To prevent type 1 diabetes through genetic engineering of hematopoietic stem cells represents another new strategy. Much basic research is still required.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China. luliu@public.wh.hb.cn
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lü
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Chun-You
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation