Using stem cells to produce insulin

Abstract

Introduction: Tremendous progress has been made in generating insulin-producing cells from pluripotent stem cells. The best outcome of the refined protocols became apparent in the first clinical trial announced by ViaCyte, based on the implantation of pancreatic progenitors that would further mature into functional insulin-producing cells inside the patient’s body.

Areas covered: Several groups, including ours, have contributed to improve strategies to generate insulin-producing cells. Of note, the latest results have gained a substantial amount of interest as a method to create a potentially functional and limitless supply of β-cell to revert diabetes mellitus. This review analyzes the accomplishments that have taken place over the last few decades, summarizes the state-of-art methods for β-cell replacement therapies based on the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into glucose-responsive and insulin-producing cells in a dish and discusses alternative approaches to obtain new sources of insulin-producing cells.

Expert opinion: Undoubtedly, recent events preface the beginning of a new era in diabetes therapy. However, in our opinion, a number of significant hurdles still stand in the way of clinical application. We believe that the combination of the private and public sectors will accelerate the process of obtaining the desired safe and functional β-cell surrogates.

Keywords:

• β-cell
• cell differentiation
• diabetes
• islet development
• pancreatic organogenesis
• pluripotent stem cells

Declaration of interest

This work was supported in part by grant CTS-6505 from the Consejería de Innovación Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía. The authors are supported by Fondos FEDER, Fundación Progreso y Salud, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía (Grants PI-0022-2008; PI-0246-2008; PI-0727-2010); the INNPACTO Program (INP-2011-1615-900000) and SUDOE Program-BIOREG (Intereg SOE3/P1/E750); Consejería de Innovación Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía (Grants CTS-7127; CTS-6359); the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Red TerCel-FEDER Grant RD12/0019/0028, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Grant PI14/01015, PI14/00804, PI10/00871 and PI13/00593); and the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs ‘Advanced Therapies Program Grant TRA-120’. CIBERDEM is an initiative of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Notes

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