Application and Progress of Stem Cells in the Treatment of Diabetes

Aims. The goal of cell transcription for treatment of diabetes is to generate surrogateβ-cells from an appropriate cell line. However, the induced replacement cells have showed less physiological function in producing insulin compared with normalβ-cells.Methods. Here, we report a procedure for induction of insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from bone marrow murine mesenchymal stem cells (BM-mMSCs). These BM-mMSCs have the potential to differentiate into insulin-producing cells when a combination of PDX-1 (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1), NeuroD1 (neurogenic differentiation-1), and MafA (V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A) genes are transfected into them and expressed in these cells.Results. Insulin biosynthesis and secretion were induced in mMSCs into which these three genes have been transfected and expressed. The amount of induced insulin in the mMSCs which have been transfected with the three genes together is significantly higher than in those mMSCs that were only transfected with one or two of these three genes. Transplantation of the transfected cells into mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes results in insulin expression and the reversal of the glucose challenge.Conclusions. These findings suggest major implications for cell replacement strategies in generation of surrogateβ-cells for the treatment of diabetes.

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Research status and prospect of stem cells in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Science China Life Sciences ◽

10.1007/s11427-013-4469-1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 306-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

XiaoFang Liu ◽

YunFang Wang ◽

YaLi Li ◽

XueTao Pei

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Research Status ◽

Treatment Of Diabetes

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Stem Cell-Based Approaches for the Treatment of Diabetes

Stem Cells International ◽

10.4061/2011/424986 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Catriona Kelly ◽

Cara C. S. Flatt ◽

Neville H. McClenaghan

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Islet Cell ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Cell Types ◽

Cell Phenotype ◽

Current Therapies ◽

Treatment Of Diabetes ◽

Induced Pluripotent

The incidence of diabetes and the associated debilitating complications are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Current therapies for type 1 diabetes focus primarily on administration of exogenous insulin to help restore glucose homeostasis. However, such treatment rarely prevents the long-term complications of this serious metabolic disorder, including neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease. Whole pancreas or islet transplantations have enjoyed limited success in some individuals, but these approaches are hampered by the shortage of suitable donors and the burden of lifelong immunosuppression. Here, we review current approaches to differentiate nonislet cell types towards an islet-cell phenotype which may be used for larger-scale cell replacement strategies. In particular, the differentiation protocols used to direct embryonic stem cells, progenitor cells of both endocrine and nonendocrine origin, and induced pluripotent stem cells towards an islet-cell phenotype are discussed.

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