TY - JOUR
T1 - The use of stem cells for pancreatic regeneration in diabetes mellitus
T2 - equally contributing authors
AU - Bouwens, Luc
AU - Houbracken, Isabelle
AU - Mfopou Kunjom, Josue
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - The endocrine pancreas represents an interesting arena for regenerative medicine and cell therapeutics. One of the major pancreatic diseases, diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder caused by having an insufficient number of insulin-producing beta cells. Beta-cell replenishment by cell transplantation can restore normal metabolic control. The shortage in donor pancreata has meant that the demand for transplantable beta cells has outstripped the supply, which could be met by using alternative sources of stem cells. This situation has opened up new areas of research, such as cellular reprogramming and in vivo beta-cell regeneration. Currently, embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells seem to be the best option for clinical applications of beta-cell regeneration in the near future, as these cells have been demonstrated to represent an unlimited source of functional beta cells. Although there is compelling evidence that the adult pancreas retains regenerative capacity, it remains unclear whether this organ contains stem cells. Alternatively, specialized cell types within or outside the pancreas retain plasticity in proliferation and differentiation. Cellular reprogramming or transdifferentiation could provide a long-term solution.
AB - The endocrine pancreas represents an interesting arena for regenerative medicine and cell therapeutics. One of the major pancreatic diseases, diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder caused by having an insufficient number of insulin-producing beta cells. Beta-cell replenishment by cell transplantation can restore normal metabolic control. The shortage in donor pancreata has meant that the demand for transplantable beta cells has outstripped the supply, which could be met by using alternative sources of stem cells. This situation has opened up new areas of research, such as cellular reprogramming and in vivo beta-cell regeneration. Currently, embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells seem to be the best option for clinical applications of beta-cell regeneration in the near future, as these cells have been demonstrated to represent an unlimited source of functional beta cells. Although there is compelling evidence that the adult pancreas retains regenerative capacity, it remains unclear whether this organ contains stem cells. Alternatively, specialized cell types within or outside the pancreas retain plasticity in proliferation and differentiation. Cellular reprogramming or transdifferentiation could provide a long-term solution.
KW - beta cells
KW - islets of Langerhans
KW - regenerative medicine
KW - embryonic stem cells
M3 - Article
SN - 1759-5029
VL - 9
SP - 598
EP - 606
JO - Nature Reviews Endocrinology
JF - Nature Reviews Endocrinology
ER -