Are stem cells a cure for diabetes?

2009 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. McCall ◽  
Christian Toso ◽  
Emmanuel E. Baetge ◽  
A. M. James Shapiro

With the already heightened demand placed on organ donation, stem cell therapy has become a tantalizing idea to provide glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells to Type 1 diabetic patients as an alternative to islet transplantation. Multiple groups have developed varied approaches to create a population of cells with the appropriate characteristics. Both adult and embryonic stem cells have received an enormous amount of attention as possible sources of insulin-producing cells. Although adult stem cells lack the pluripotent nature of their embryonic counterparts, they appear to avoid the ethical debate that has centred around the latter. This may limit the eventual application of embryonic stem cells, which have already shown promise in early mouse models. One must also consider the potential of stem cells to form teratomas, a complication which would prove devastating in an immunologically compromised transplant recipient. The present review looks at the progress to date in both the adult and embryonic stem cells fields as potential treatments for diabetes. We also consider some of the limitations of stem cell therapy and the potential complications that may develop with their use.

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBIN LOVELL-BADGE

Stem cells are capable of regenerating tissue cells. They have an important potential use in a wide range of therapies, especially as an alternative to organ transplantation, with the advantage that they can be derived from the patient and thus avoid rejection. Embryonic stem cells are potentially capable of forming all kinds of cells. Their use is controversial however, because they are derived from early embryos and because, if they were to match the patient, they would have to be obtained using the same techniques that could, in theory, be used to produce cloned individuals. This article discusses the uses and problems of stem cell research and therapy.


1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-80
Author(s):  
AKMM Islam ◽  
AAS Majumder ◽  
F Doza ◽  
MM Rahman ◽  
H Jesmin

Cardiovascular diseases are the major causes of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Treatment of these diseases is often incomplete, suboptimal and far from permanent cure. One of the reasons behind this is the nature of heart as a terminally differentiated organ. Preclinical and clinical research in the last few decades has put a challenge to this conventional belief regarding the inability of regeneration of the cardiomyocytes. Embryonic, foetal and a wide range of adult stem cells have been used so far. Differentiation of adult somatic cells has lead to breakthrough discovery of induced pleuripotent stem cells which may be a potential solution of controversy over embryonic stem cell issue. Stem cells specially those of bone marrow origin are already being used in a limited scale to treat acute myocardial infarction, chronic myocardial ischaemia and cardiomyopathy with efficacy, feasibility and safety. Mesenchymal stem cells and adult cardiac stem cells are on the way to bedside use. skeletal myoblasts have been associated with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. Stem cells combined with tissue engineering have produced prosthetic tissue valves, and hope for manufacturing whole heart ex vivo in near future. However, like other rapidly evolving modalities, there are more questions than answers. Exact indications, patient selection, cell selection, timing of therapy, efficacy of repeated therapies, co-administration of growth factors, and genetic modification of stem cells are yet to be determined with precision. International community is coming forward with enthusiasm and vigor to explore the enormous potential of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Future research will hopefully facilitate more versatile application of stem cells in treating the life-threatening and disabling ailments of mankind. Keywords: Stem cell; regenerative medicine DOI: 10.3329/cardio.v3i1.6429Cardiovasc. j. 2010; 3(1): 66-80


Author(s):  
Fariha Khaliq

Stem cell therapy is an approach to use cells that have the ability of self-renewal and to differentiate into different types of functional cells that are obtained from embryo and other postnatal sources to treat multiple disorders. These cells can be differentiated into different types of stem cells based on their specific characteristics to be totipotent, unipotent, multipotent or pluripotent. As potential therapy, pluripotent stem cells are considered to be the most interesting as they can be differentiated into different type of cells with similar characteristics as embryonic stem cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult cells that are reprogrammed genetically into stem cells from human fibroblasts through expressing genes and transcription factors at different time intervals. In this review, we will discuss the applications of stem cell therapy using iPSCs technology in treating neurodegenerative disorder such that Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We have also broadly highlighted the significance of pluripotent stem cells in stem cell therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 169-191
Author(s):  
Emma E. Redfield ◽  
Erin K. Luciano ◽  
Monica J. Sewell ◽  
Lucas A. Mitzel ◽  
Isaac J. Sanford ◽  
...  

This study looks at the number of clinical trials involving specific stem cell types. To our knowledge, this has never been done before. Stem cell clinical trials that were conducted at locations in the US and registered on the National Institutes of Health database at ‘clinicaltrials.gov’ were categorized according to the type of stem cell used (adult, cancer, embryonic, perinatal, or induced pluripotent) and the year that the trial was registered. From 1999 to 2014, there were 2,357 US stem cell clinical trials registered on ‘clinicaltrials.gov,’ and 89 percent were from adult stem cells and only 0.12 percent were from embryonic stem cells. This study concludes that embryonic stem cells should no longer be used for clinical study because of their irrelevance, moral questions, and induced pluripotent stem cells.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne AdiwinataPawitan

Background. Alternative approaches to transplantation for liver failure are needed. One of the alternative approaches is stem cell therapy. However, stem cell therapy in liver failure is not standardized yet, as every centre have their own methods. This systematic review is aimed at compiling and analyzing the various studies that use stem cells to treat liver failure, to get an insight into potential protocols in terms of safety and efficacy by comparing them to controls. Methods. This systematic review was done according to PRISMA guidelines and submitted for registration in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42018106119). All published studies in PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library, using key words: “human” and “stem cell” AND “liver failure” on 16th June 2018, without time restriction. In addition, relevant articles that are found during full-text search were added. Inclusion criteria included all original articles on stem cell use in humans with liver failure. Data collected included study type, treatment and control number, severity of disease, concomitant therapy, type and source of cells, passage of cells, dose, administration route, repeats, and interval between repeats, outcomes, and adverse events compared to controls. Data were analyzed descriptively to determine the possible causes of adverse reactions, and which protocols gave a satisfactory outcome, in terms of safety and efficacy. Results. There were 25 original articles, i.e., eight case studies and 17 studies with controls. Conclusion. Among the various adult stem cells that were used in human studies, MSCs from the bone marrow or umbilical cord performed better compared to other types of adult stem cells, though no study showed a complete and sustainable performance in the outcome measures. Intravenous (IV) route was equal to invasive route. Fresh or cryopreserved, and autologous or allogeneic MSCs were equally beneficial; and giving too many cells via intraportal or the hepatic artery might be counterproductive.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  

Stem cells have the ability to go through various cell divisions and also maintain undifferentiated state. Stem cells are Embryonic (Pluripotent) and adult stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells give rise to all tissues such as ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. Embryonic stem cells isolated from inner cell mass of embryo blastocyst. Adult stem cells are also undifferentiated cells present in adult organisms and repair the tissue when damaged occurs but number in less. Adult stem cells are present in bone marrow, adipose tissue, blood and juvenile state umbilical cord and tissue of specific origin like liver, heart, intestine and neural tissue. Embryonic stem cells from blastocyst have the ethical problems and tumorogenecity. These can be identified by flow cytometry. There are wide range of stem cell markers which are useful in identifying them. Most of the pluripotent cell markers are common with tumor cell markers which throws a challenge for certainty.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-07
Author(s):  
Azab Azab

Background: Stem cell therapy has attracted much interest in the 21st century, not only because of the controversy surrounding the ethics involving pluripotent stem cells, but their potential for clinical use. Objectives: The present review highlights the stem cells niche, types, identification, and characterization, mechanisms of regeneration by using stem cells, and applications in joint disease remedy. Stem cells could be well differentiated cells with the potential to display different cell types depending on the host niche. Niche is defined as the cellular microenvironment providing support and stimuli to control the properties of stem cells. It consists of signaling molecules, inter-cell contacts and interaction between stem cells and their extracellular matrix neighbors. Stem cells are classified according to their sources into two main types, the embryonic and non-embryonic. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and can differentiate into all germ layers. Non-embryonic stem cells can be sub-classified into fetal stem cells and adult stem cells. Cultured cells can be made to differentiate into exclusive lineages by providing selective media components that can be identified by histochemical staining and quantified by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be identified based on the expression of specific proteins called surface antigen phenotype of mesenchymal stem cell markers. MSCs secrete a variety of interleukins, several neurotrophic factors, many cytokines, and growth factors. These secreted bioactive factors have both paracrine and autocrine effects, which are anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic, as well as enhance angiogenesis. Furthermore, they stimulate mitosis and differentiation of tissue-intrinsic reparative stem cells. Systemic MSC transplantation can engraft to an injured tissue and promote wound healing through differentiation, and proliferation in synergy with hematopoietic stem cells. MSCs have been shown to express a variety of chemokines and chemokine receptors and can home to sites of inflammation by migrating towards injury or inflammatory chemokines and cytokines. MSCs are proven to have immunomodulatory properties that are among the most intriguing aspects of their biology. The immunosuppressive properties of MSCs inhibit the immune response of naive and memory T cells in a mixed lymphocyte culture and induce mitogen. The systemic infusion of MSCs can be used in immunosuppressive therapy of various disorders. MSCs have become an alternative source of cells that can be drawn from several these cells have been used as treatment to repair cartilage defects at early stages sources. Using the MSCs and directing them into chondrogenic differentiation might lead to the formation of higher quality cartilage, which has a great composition of hyaline, adequate structural reorganization and therefore improved biomechanical properties. Conclusion: It can be concluded that stem cells are classified according to their sources into two main types, the embryonic and non-embryonic. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and can differentiate into all germ layers. Non-embryonic stem cells can be sub-classified into fetal stem cells and adult stem cells. MSCs secrete bioactive factors that are anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic, as well as enhance angiogenesis. The systemic infusion of MSCs can be used in immunosuppressive therapy of various disorders. These cells have been used as treatment to repair cartilage defects at early stages.


2004 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 662-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenyon S. Tweedell

This article is intended to give the nonspecialist an insight into the nuances of “clones”, cloning, and stem cells. It distinguishes embryonic and adult stem cells, their normal function in the organism, their origin, and how they are recovered to produce stem cell lines in culture. As background, the fundamental processes of embryo development are reviewed and defined, since the manipulation of stem cell lines into desired specialized cells employs many of the same events. Stem cells are defined and characterized and shown how they function in the intact organism during early development and later during cell regeneration in the adult. The complexity of stem cell recovery and their manipulation into specific cells and tissue is illustrated by reviewing current experimentation on both embryonic and adult stem cells in animals and limited research on human stem cell lines. The current and projected use of stem cells for human diseases and repair, along with the expanding methodology for the recovery of human embryonic stem cells, is described. An assessment on the use of human embryonic stem cells is considered from ethical, legal, religious, and political viewpoints.


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