The potential of stem cells to regenerate or replace the pancreas in diabetics is enormous.
Since the Edmonton Protocol in 2000, which involved transplanting cadaveric pancreatic islets to prove that cell therapy could be used for diabetes treatment, various stem cell sources have been explored. US-FDA has approved the use of pancreatic stem cells derived from human embryonic stem (hES), in clinical trials for type 1 diabetes. These progenitors are more similar to their foetal counterparts, and so it remains to be proven whether they can provide long-term regeneration for adult human pancreas. Regeneration of islets using endogenous stem cells from pancreatic tissue may be beneficial to T2DM patients in addition to lifestyle modifications and insulin sensitizers. It is still highly debated whether pancreatic stems cells exist, if they do, if regeneration occurs by reduplication or transdifferentiation of ductal epithelial or existing islet cells. We have recently demonstrated that a novel population of very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) is involved during regeneration of adult mouse pancreas after partial-pancreatectomy. VSELs, or pluripotent stem cells found in adult organs, should be considered as an alternative to regenerative medicine because they are autologous and immune-rejection issues are not present. They also do not cause teratomas. T2DM can be caused by VSEL dysfunction as we age, and an uncontrolled proliferation of these cells could lead to pancreatic carcinoma. To exploit the potential for endogenous VSELs, extensive brainstorming and financial assistance are needed.
The majority of diabetes patients are from India, China and the USA. Diabetes, along with its associated complications such as heart disease and strokes, causes increased mortality and morbidity. It is estimated that India will have 70 million diabetics by 2025. Diabetes is a metabolic disease that results from the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic b-cells. Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurs when the b cell mass falls below 20% due to an autoimmune reaction. In type 2 diabetes (T2DM), the declining b cell mass cannot meet the increased insulin needs of the body due to age and insulin resistance, so the b cells are eventually lost through apoptosis. In both T1 and T2DM the goal of diabetes treatment is to restore a functional b cell mass.
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4892071/
