Title:Type 1 Diabetes Treatments Based on Stem Cells
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Miriam Arana, Anujith Kumar, Ashwini Ashwathnarayan, Maher Atari and Miguel Barajas*
Affiliation:Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, School of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal University, Yelahanka, Bangalore, School of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal University, Yelahanka, Bangalore, Regenerative Medicine Research Institute, UIC Barcelona, Barcelona, Biochemistry Area, Health Science Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona
Keywords:Stem cells, diabetes, reprogramming, clinical trial, insulin, regeneration.
Abstract:Background: More than a decade ago, a new research field named Stem Cell Therapy
emerged in Health Science. Initially, it was considered that cells owned a differentiation capability;
however, this dogma has changed when new results have been published regarding the ability of the
cells to differentiate into different cell tissue mainly due to the novel reprogramming strategies. Accordingly,
cells from an adult tissue source may be potentially capable of originating cells of a very
different cell type. The possibility of transplanting these cells into damaged organs has triggered many
studies to understand the plasticity of stem cells. Today, we have a deeper knowledge about stem cells,
however still many questions, especially about the mechanism of action, that needs to be answered. The
benefit of stem cells after transplantation has been demonstrated experimentally and also in some cases
clinically; however, the extent of stem cell contribution in transplanted tissue has been found to be low
and a large number of evidence indicates that a trophic effect should play an important role in such
benefit. A better understanding of the paracrine mechanisms involved in this process could be of great
relevance in order to focus studies on endogenous cells to direct their function towards the regeneration
of damaged tissue. In addition, even more sophisticated methods of reprogramming and cell transplantation
have been initiated in combination with bioengineering techniques in order to enhance the potential
of these cells.
Conclusion: In the present review, we will overview the studies on stem cell and their effects in the
treatment of diabetes in order to discuss the questions generated about their origin and the mechanisms
that are involved in their reparative properties.