Beta-cell replacement for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Beta-cell replacement is considered the optimal treatment for type 1 diabetes, however, it is hindered by a shortage of human organ donors. Given the difficulty of expanding adult beta cells in vitro, stem/progenitor cells, which can be expanded in tissue culture and induced to differentiate into multiple cell types, represent an attractive source for generation of cells with beta-cell properties. In the absence of well-characterized human pancreas progenitor cells, investigators are exploring the use of embryonic stem cells and stem/progenitor cells from other tissues. Once abundant surrogate beta cells are available, the challenge will be to protect them from recurring autoimmunity.
Efrat
Shimon
S
Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, 69978 Israel. sefrat@post.tau.ac.il
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology