Stem cell-based strategies for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
β-Cell regeneration and β-cell preservation are two promising therapeutic approaches for the management of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Stem cell-based strategies to address the problems of shortage in β cells, autoimmune and alloimmune responses have become an area of intense study.


METHODS
This review focuses on the progress that has been made in obtaining functional, insulin-producing cells from various types of stem/progenitor cells, including the current knowledge on the immunomodulatory roles of hematopoietic stem cell and multipotent stromal cell in the therapies for T1D.


RESULTS
A broad overview of recent advancements in this field is provided. The hurdles that remain in the path of using stem cell-based strategies for the treatment of T1D and possible approaches to overcome these challenges are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Stem cell-based strategies hold great promise for the treatment of T1D. In spite of the progress that has been made over the last decade, a number of obstacles and concerns need to be cleared before widespread clinical application is possible. In particular, the mechanism of ESC and iPSC-derived β-cell maturation in vivo is poorly understood.
University of Louisville, Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Louisville, KY 40202-1760, USA.
Yujie
Y
Wen
Bo
B
Chen
Suzanne T
ST
Ildstad
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000473:pathology; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology