β-cell regeneration: the pancreatic intrinsic faculty

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan;22(1):34-43. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2010.09.004. Epub 2010 Nov 8.

Abstract

Type I diabetes (T1D) patients rely on cumbersome chronic injections of insulin, making the development of alternate durable treatments a priority. The ability of the pancreas to generate new β-cells has been described in experimental diabetes models and, importantly, in infants with T1D. Here we discuss recent advances in identifying the origin of new β-cells after pancreatic injury, with and without inflammation, revealing a surprising degree of cell plasticity in the mature pancreas. In particular, the inducible selective near-total destruction of β-cells in healthy adult mice uncovers the intrinsic capacity of differentiated pancreatic cells to spontaneously reprogram to produce insulin. This opens new therapeutic possibilities because it implies that β-cells can differentiate endogenously, in depleted adults, from heterologous origins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / cytology*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / physiology*
  • Pancreas / cytology*
  • Regeneration / physiology