Current Status of Stem Cell Treatment for Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major health concern in current scenario which has been found to affect people of almost all ages. The disease has huge impact on global health; therefore, alternate methods apart from insulin injection are being explored to cure diabetes. Therefore, this review mainly focuses on the current status and therapeutic potential of stem cells mainly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for Type 1 diabetes mellitus in preclinical animal models as well as humans.

Methods: Current treatment for Type 1 diabetes mellitus mainly includes use of insulin which has its own limitations and also the underlying mechanism of diseases is still not explored. Therefore, alternate methods to cure diabetes are being explored. Stem cells are being investigated as an alternative therapy for treatment of various diseases including diabetes. Few preclinical studies have also been conducted using undifferentiated MSCs as well as in vitro MSCs differentiated into β islet cells.

Results: These stem cell transplant studies have highlighted the benefits of MSCs, which have shown promising results. Few human trials using stem cells have also affirmed the potential of these cells in alleviating the symptoms.

Conclusion: Stem cell transplantation may prove to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Bone marrow; Diabetes mellitus; In vitro differentiation; Stem cells.

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of process involving isolation and differentiation of MSCs into islet cells and their transplantation in Type I diabetes animal model and Type I diabetic patient (BM bone marrow, AT adipose tissue, UC umbilical cord, UCB umbilical cord blood, AF amniotic fluid)

Fig. 2

Schematic representation of the mechanism of action of mesenchymal stem cells in regeneration process (βME β mercaptoethanol, DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide, HGF hepatocyte growth factor, IDO Indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase, IL-6 interleukin-6, NO nitric oxide, PGE-2 prostaglandin E, TGF-β transforming growth factor beta, VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor)