La thérapie cellulaire du diabète

Abstract

Islet transplantation has set the ground for diabetes cell therapy and is still undergoing various developments that might improve clinical outcomes. Alternative sources for β-cell replacement strategies are now led by human pluripotent stem cells that demonstrate near-normal β-cell features after in vitro differentiation and which can reverse diabetes in mice. Yet, their propensity for tumor formation is still unresolved. The adult pancreas is suggested as a reservoir of facultative progenitors that could represent adequate candidates for β-cell engineering, either in vivo through pharmacological treatment or after expansion in culture. This review focuses on the latest developments in protocols aiming at de novo production of functional β cells.