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Horm Metab Res 2008; 40(2): 155-161
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1022553
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Generation of Insulin-producing Beta Cells from Stem Cells - Perspectives for Cell Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes

J. Seissler 1 , M. Schott 2
  • 1Medical Clinic Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
  • 2Department of Endocrinology, Heinrich Heine University, Duesseldorf, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 09.10.2007

accepted 26.10.2007

Publication Date:
19 February 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Cell based therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes is limited by the overall shortage of donor organs for transplantation. This is the rationale for the research on the generation of insulin-producing beta cells from an inexhaustible source of cells such as the stem cells. Stem cells are progenitor cells which possess the capacity of self-renewing and differentiation in fully mature cells depending on the culture conditions. The fundamental question is how to make terminally matured pancreatic beta cells. During the last years different approaches for the neogenesis of beta cells have been described using embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells residing in the pancreas, or other nonpancreatic cell types. Although fully functional islets have not yet been derived from any stem cells, the use of stem cells is still the most promising approach on the way to establish a treatment protocol for the cure of type 1 diabetes in the future.

Key words

embryonic stem cells - adult stem cells - diabetes - cell therapy

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Correspondence

J. SeisslerMD 

Diabetes Center

Medical Clinic Innenstadt

Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich

Ziemssenstraße 1

80336 Munich

Germany

Phone: +49/89/5160 21 86

Fax: +49/89/5160 49 56

Email: jochen.seissler@med.uni-muenchen.de

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