A stem cell approach to cure type 1 diabetes
A Helman, DA Melton - Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives …, 2021 - cshperspectives.cshlp.org
A Helman, DA Melton
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 2021•cshperspectives.cshlp.orgTreatment of type 1 diabetes with insulin injection is expensive, complicated, and
insufficient. While cadaveric islet transplantations coupled with immunosuppressants can
cure diabetes, the scarcity of acceptable islets is problematic. Developmental research on
pancreas formation has informed in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into
functional islets. Although generating β cells from stem cells offers a potential cure for type 1
diabetes, several challenges remain, including protecting the cells from the immune system.
insufficient. While cadaveric islet transplantations coupled with immunosuppressants can
cure diabetes, the scarcity of acceptable islets is problematic. Developmental research on
pancreas formation has informed in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into
functional islets. Although generating β cells from stem cells offers a potential cure for type 1
diabetes, several challenges remain, including protecting the cells from the immune system.
Treatment of type 1 diabetes with insulin injection is expensive, complicated, and insufficient. While cadaveric islet transplantations coupled with immunosuppressants can cure diabetes, the scarcity of acceptable islets is problematic. Developmental research on pancreas formation has informed in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into functional islets. Although generating β cells from stem cells offers a potential cure for type 1 diabetes, several challenges remain, including protecting the cells from the immune system.
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