Stem cells in pancreatic islets

Abstract

Adult stem cells are unspecialized cells with the capacity to differentiate into many different cell types in the body. These cells together with the progenitor cells involve in the tissue repair processes and maintain the functionality of the tissue in which they are found. During the onset and progression of the diabetes mellitus type 1, the β cells in Langerhans islets undergo progressive and selective destruction. To restore the normal insulin levels to regulate glucose homeostasis, the dropping number of β cells is replaced by progenitor/stem cells in the environment of pancreatic islets. Due to the complexity of the organ organization, these cells could originate from different sources. In this chapter, the types of the stem cells derived from pancreatic environment with the differentiation capacity into pancreatic islets and their cells were mainly focused. Some of these cells do not only involve in the regeneration of insulin-producing cells, but they also function in the preservation of β cell viability. Besides providing an alternative renewable source for β cell replacement, the interaction of pancreatic stem cells with immune system in diabetes mellitus type 1 is also discussed.