Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (23): 4325-4328.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.23.032

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Research progress in islet stem cells: How far from the induction and production of functional beta cells？

Du Zhi-jian, Zhao Chun-hua   

  1. Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing   100005, China
  • Online:2010-06-04 Published:2010-06-04
  • Contact: Zhao Chun-hua, Doctor, Professor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
  • About author:Du Zhi-jian, Studying for doctorate, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China duzhijian2000@ yahoo.com.cn

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Insulin replacement therapy is the widely used method for diabetes treatment, whereas there are many defects for this treatment. Islets transplantation has been widely accepted as an effective way for diabetes treatment. But, transplantation rejection and shortage of cadaver pancreases limit its use in the clinic. Islet stem cells can solve this problem effectively.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize source, induction, and differentiation efficiency of pancreatic β cells, present existing problems and application perspective.

METHODS: We searched Pubmed database for relevant literatures concerning diabetes mellitus stem cells published from January 1990 to December 2009 using key words of “diabetes, stem cell, treatment, islets”. Following reading titles and abstracts, articles were primarily screened. Duplicated and Meta analysis studies were excluded, and 23 literatures were included for summary.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Pancreatic β cells derived from stem cells play a role in regulating blood glucose. At present, stem cells that can differentiate into pancreatic β cells primarily included embryonic stem cells, pancreatic stem cells, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. In studies of differentiation of various stem cells into pancreatic β cells, there are two differentiation methods (in vivo and in vitro). In vitro induction mainly used step-by-stop induction, and some tests utilized gene technique. At present, studies addressing islet stem cells remain in a primary stage. How to induce and produce a large number of functional β cells is still a big challenge.

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