Embryonic stem cells have been grown in culture to produce pancreatic cells capable of secreting insulin and expressing genes for pancreatic beta cell development. Similar research is now being undertaken with umbilical cord-derived stem cells.
In addition to umbilical cord blood stem cells, liver cells also have the potential for giving rise to pancreatic beta cells. Adult rat liver stem cells have been induced in cultures to differentiate into pancreatic beta-cells, capable of secreting insulin. When stimulated with glucose, these cells synthesize and secrete insulin. In a pilot study by Dr. Yang and associates, the islet cell-like clusters displayed the ability to reverse hyperglycemia in a diabetic mouse. The use of liver cells promises an additional avenue of stem cell therapy for diabetic patients. |
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