Title:Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
Author(s): Mohamed Mabed and Maha Shahin
Affiliation:
Keywords:
β-cells, diabetes mellitus, mesenchymal stem cells, stem cells, umbilical cord blood
Abstract: The pathophysiology of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) appears largely related to an innate defect in the immune system
culminating in a loss of self tolerance and destruction of the insulin producing β-cells. Currently, there is no definitive
cure for diabetes. Insulin injection does not mimic the precise regulation of β-cells on glucose homeostasis, leading long
term to the development of complications. Other therapeutic approaches therefore, are necessary and cell therapy is
thought to be a possible approach. In this sense, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can offer a promising possibility that deserves
to be explored. MSCs are multipotent non-hematopoietic progenitor cells. Their therapeutic potentials have recently
been brought into the spotlights of many fields of research. Although the regenerative capabilities of MSCs have
been a driving force to initiate studies testing their therapeutic effectiveness, their immunomodulatory properties have
been equally exciting. MSCs possess specific immunomodulatory properties that would appear capable of disabling immune
dysregulation that leads to β-cell destruction in T1D. Furthermore, MSCs can be sequentially cultured in specially
defined conditions and their differentiation extends toward the β-cell phenotype and the formation of insulin producing
cells (IPCs). To date, the role of MSCs in T1D remains completely unexplored. We herein summarize multiple strategies
that have been proposed and tested for its potential therapeutic benefit for T1D.
