According to Nature Biotechnology, Researchers in the US have created insulin producing cells from human embryonic stem (ES) cells alleviating a diabetes-like condition in mice. This approach could lead to a renewable source of cells for the treatment of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, and some forms of type 2 diabetes, involves the loss of pancreatic ‘beta’ cells, which regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels by releasing insulin.

Previously, this group of scientists had been able to create these ‘beta’ cells from embryonic stem cells but they were unable to release insulin in response to glucose. This research shows that if these cells are transplanted into mice, in 1-3 months they will develop into insulin-secreting cells able to regulate the blood glucose levels.

If you would like a copy of this paper or you would like to speak to an expert about this research please don’t hesitate to contact us on (08) 8207 7415 or by email.

Professor Bernie Tuch is the Directorof the Diabetes Transplant Unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital/University of New South Wales

“An excellent manuscript with a clear message, that it is possible to create mature insulin-producing cells from human embryonic stem cells. This is novel, and of great importance to those with insulin-dependent diabetes as it shows proof-of-principle.

“Now that the biological issue of producing mature ß cells has been addressed, other issues will need to be examined before human application can be considered. These include safety, scaling up the number of cells, and immunological rejection. ”

Dr Dorota Pawlak is Research Manager for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“One of the major challenges for treating type 1 diabetes has been finding an abundant and renewable source of insulin-producing cells to replace those lost during the disease process. This exciting research brings us tantalizingly close to being able to grow these cells in the laboratory for implantation into a patient -a therapy that would replace the need for the painful regime of insulin injections that people with type 1 diabetes currently have to endure. Whilst this is a very promising step forward, JDRF will still continue to pursue all research avenues in our search for a cure for type 1 diabetes.”

Professor Ed Stanley is Head of the Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Laboratory at Monash University, Victoria.

“Californian biotechnology company Novacell Inc. is now the second group to show that human embryonic stem cells can be coaxed to form insulin producing cells that reverse type 1 diabetes in mice. Their findings will help galvanize efforts to develop these cells as a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes”