In vivo regeneration of insulin-producing beta-cells.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus are considered to be caused by defective control of blood glucose resulting from a reduced beta-cell mass. Thus, the restoration of a functional beta-cell mass by replacing the damaged beta-cells or stimulating beta-cell regeneration is a logical approach for the treatment of diabetes. Strategies for increasing the beta-cell mass include stimulating beta-cell replication and differentiation and inhibiting beta-cell death. Treatment with various growth factors such as GLP-1, BTC, HGF, and EGF and forced expression of beta-cell transcription factors such as Pdx-1, NeuroD, and MafA resulted in the regeneration of beta-cells in vivo. Another approach is the administration of stem/progenitor cells, which can differentiate into insulin-producing cells. However, there are no satisfactory methods yet for clinical application. Understanding the mechanisms of the regenerative process of pancreatic beta-cells will pave the way for the development of regenerative medicine for treatment of diabetes.
Jun
Hee-Sook
HS
Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Yeonsu-ku, Incheon 406-840, Korea. hsjeon@gachon.ac.kr
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D007328:Insulin; D014157:Transcription Factors; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1