Pancreas regeneration

Nature. 2018 May;557(7705):351-358. doi: 10.1038/s41586-018-0088-0. Epub 2018 May 16.

Abstract

The pancreas is made from two distinct components: the exocrine pancreas, a reservoir of digestive enzymes, and the endocrine islets, the source of the vital metabolic hormone insulin. Human islets possess limited regenerative ability; loss of islet β-cells in diseases such as type 1 diabetes requires therapeutic intervention. The leading strategy for restoration of β-cell mass is through the generation and transplantation of new β-cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Other approaches include stimulating endogenous β-cell proliferation, reprogramming non-β-cells to β-like cells, and harvesting islets from genetically engineered animals. Together these approaches form a rich pipeline of therapeutic development for pancreatic regeneration.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology
  • Adult Stem Cells / transplantation
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cellular Reprogramming
  • Humans
  • Islets of Langerhans / cytology
  • Islets of Langerhans / growth & development
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology
  • Islets of Langerhans / physiology
  • Pancreas / cytology
  • Pancreas / growth & development
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Pancreas / physiology*
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / transplantation
  • Regeneration / physiology*
  • Regenerative Medicine / methods*