Mimicking nature-made beta cells: recent advances towards stem cell-derived islets.

Mimicking nature-made beta cells: recent advances towards stem cell-derived islets. Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2019 Aug 19;: Authors: Tremmel DM, Mitchell SA, Sackett SD, Odorico JS Abstract PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Stem cell-derived islets are likely to be useful as a future treatment for diabetes. However, the field has been limited in the ability to generate β-like cells with both phenotypic maturation and functional glucose-stimulated insulin secretion that is similar to primary human islets. The field must also establish a reliable method of delivering the cells to patients while promoting rapid in-vivo engraftment and function. Overcoming these barriers to β cell differentiation and transplantation will be key to bring this therapy to the clinic. RECENT FINDINGS: The ability to generate stem cell-derived β-like cells capable of dynamic glucose-responsive insulin secretion, as well as β-like cells expressing key maturation genes has recently been demonstrated by several groups. Other groups have explored the potential of vascularized subcutaneous transplant sites, as well as endothelial cell co-transplant to support β cell survival and function following transplantation. SUMMARY: The generation of stem cell-derived islets with dynamic glucose-responsive insulin secretion has brought the field closer to clinical translation, but there is still need for improving insulin content and secretory capacity, as well as u...
Source: Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation - Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Tags: Curr Opin Organ Transplant Source Type: research