Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes: Are We Close Enough?

Over the last few decades, understanding of the mechanism of cellular development has increased tremendously. The knowledge of the potential of stem/precursor cells in tissue engineering and cell therapy has gained the popularity. In case of diabetes, the availability of the source of stem cells and the efficacy of their isolation techniques for maximum yield of viable cells to expand is an important issue which needs attention. Attempts to make beta cells from mouse embryonic stem cells (ES) and adult stem cells have been frustrating in part because too much has been expected too soon. The problem with ES cells are that it is not known whether these cells are truly similar to normal beta cells or not and ethical issues surrounding them. ES cells is a major concern. Current claims about differentiation / transdifferentiation of adult stem cells to insulin producing cells has been demonstrated by many groups. These adult stem cells are of enormous interest because of their general accessibility and lack of ethical issues. Also, adult stem cells are non immunocompatible unless isolated from the same patient whereas ethical and scientific issues surrounding embryonic and fetal stem cells hinder their widespread implementation. Therefore, much attention is now focused on alternative sources of adult/postnatal stem cells