β-Cell replacement as a treatment for type 1 diabetes: an overview of possible cell sources and current axes of research

Diabetes Obes Metab. 2016 Sep:18 Suppl 1:137-43. doi: 10.1111/dom.12721.

Abstract

To efficiently treat type 1 diabetes, exogenous insulin injections currently represent the main approach to counter chronic hyperglycaemia. Unfortunately, such a therapeutic approach does not allow for perfectly maintained glucose homeostasis and, in time, cardiovascular complications may arise. Therefore, seeking alternative/improved treatments has become a major health concern as an increasing proportion of type 2 diabetes patients also require insulin supplementation. Towards this goal, numerous laboratories have focused their research on β-cell replacement therapies. Herein, we will review the current state of this research area and describe the cell sources that could potentially be used to replenish the depleted β-cell mass in diabetic patients.

Keywords: stem cells; transdifferentiation; transplantation; type 1 diabetes; β-cells.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods*
  • Cellular Reprogramming Techniques
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / therapy*
  • Hepatocytes
  • Human Embryonic Stem Cells*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells*
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / transplantation*
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / methods
  • Pancreas / cytology
  • Stem Cells

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin