Cell-based therapy of diabetes: what are the new sources of beta cells?

Diabetes Metab. 2011 Nov;37(5):371-5. doi: 10.1016/j.diabet.2011.05.007. Epub 2011 Jul 21.

Abstract

Diabetes affects 246 million people around the world. To date, no definitive cure has been discovered. Recent clinical trials have shed light on the possibility of successfully transplanting adult pancreatic islets into type 1 diabetic recipients. However, despite encouraging efforts to improve such protocols, the poor availability of pancreatic islets remains a limiting parameter for these transplantation programmes. In the present review, different strategies to obtain other sources of islet beta cells are discussed.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / cytology*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / transplantation*
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / trends*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / trends*