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Stem Cell Therapy in Diabetes Mellitus

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Advances in Stem Cell Therapy

Part of the book series: Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine ((STEMCELL))

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Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a widespread chronic disease. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) requires insulin replacement for life. Pancreatic islets or the whole organ transplantation is an ideal alternative, but is hampered by shortage of cadaveric organs. Type 2 DM can be initially controlled by medication, but eventually one third of patients become insulin dependent. Efforts to develop insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from a variety of sources are under investigation. In view of their high proliferation rate and trilineage potential, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offer an attractive source for stem cell therapy in DM. However clinical application of ESCs has several concerns including teratogenicity, immunogenicity, and ethical considerations. These drawbacks may be overcome by manipulation of the transplanted cells via encapsulation. Induced pluripotent stem cells have similar properties to ESCs as they exhibit high proliferation and trilineage potential. Most importantly, they offer the possibility of producing autologous cells. However, the rate of conversion of somatic cells into pluripotency is very low. Mesenchymal stem cells from a variety of sources are used to get insulin-producing cells either by genetic manipulations or directed differentiation. The proportion of the resulting functional cells is small. However transplantation in nude mice results in euglycemia. Evidence had been provided that this is the result of further maturation in vivo.

It is expected that within the next few years shall witness definitive treatment by stem cells particularly for type I DM. In addition, the use of stem cells for treatment of diabetic complications had also been reported.

In spite of the remaining important challenges, it is reasonable to believe that β-cell replacement therapy may become a clinical reality in the not so far future. In addition, the use of stem cells for the treatment of diabetic complications is also under investigations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Urology and Nephrology Center, Gomhoria Street, Mansoura, Dakahlia, 35516, Egypt

    Mohamed A. Ghoneim MD, MD (Hon), FACS (Hon)

  2. Department of Nephrology, Urology and Nephrology Center, Gomhoria Street, Mansoura, Dakahlia, 35516, Egypt

    Ayman F. Refaie M.D.

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  1. Mohamed A. Ghoneim MD, MD (Hon), FACS (Hon)
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Correspondence to Mohamed A. Ghoneim MD, MD (Hon), FACS (Hon) .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Zayed City, Egypt

    Nagwa El-Badri

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Ghoneim, M.A., Refaie, A.F. (2017). Stem Cell Therapy in Diabetes Mellitus. In: El-Badri, N. (eds) Advances in Stem Cell Therapy. Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29149-9_2

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