Apr 3 2008, 10:27 AM EST
Stem cell breakthrough offers diabetes hope
EUREKALERT
Contact: Aeron Haworth
aeron.haworth@
44-161-275-8383
University of Manchester
Scientists have discovered a new technique for turning embryonic stem
cells into insulin-producing pancreatic tissue in what could prove a
significant breakthrough in the quest to find new treatments for
diabetes.
The University of Manchester team, working with colleagues at the
University of Sheffield, were able to genetically manipulate the stem
cells so that they produced an important protein known as a
transcription factor.
Stem cells have the ability to become any type of cell, so scientists
believe they may hold the key to treating a number of diseases
including Alzheimers, Parkinsons and diabetes.
However, a major stumbling block to developing new treatments has
been the difficulty scientists have faced ensuring the stem cells
turn into the type of cell required for any particular condition in
the case of diabetes, pancreatic cells.
Unprompted, the majority of stem cells turn into simple nerve cells
called neurons, explained Dr Karen Cosgrove, who led the team in
Manchesters Faculty of Life Sciences.
Less than one per cent of embryonic stem cells would normally become
insulin-producing pancreatic cells, so the challenge has been to find
a way of producing much greater quantities of these cells.
The pancreas contains different types of specialised cells exocrine
cells, which produce enzymes to aid digestion, and endocrine cells,
including beta cells, which produce the hormone insulin to regulate
the blood glucose levels. Diabetes results when there is not enough
insulin to meet the bodys demands.
There are two forms of the disease: type-1 diabetes is due to not
enough insulin being produced by the pancreas, while type-2 or adult-
onset diabetes occurs when the body fails to respond properly to the
insulin that is produced.
The team found that the transcription factor PAX4 encouraged high
numbers of embryonic stem cells about 20% to become pancreatic beta
cells with the potential to produce insulin when transplanted into
the body.
Furthermore, the scientists for the first time were able to separate
the new beta cells from other types of cell produced using a
technique called fluorescent-
special dye to colour the pancreatic cells green.
Research in the United States has shown that transplanting a mixture
of differentiated cells and stem cells can cause cancer, so the
ability to isolate the pancreatic cells in the lab is a major boost
in our bid to develop a successful therapy, said Dr Cosgrove.
Scientists have had some success increasing the number of pancreatic
cells produced by altering the environment in which the stem cells
develop, so the next stage of our research will be to combine both
methods to see what proportions we can achieve.
Scientists believe that transplanting functional beta cells into
patients, most likely into their liver where there is a strong blood
supply, offers the best hope for finding a cure for type-1 diabetes.
It could also offer hope to those with type-2 diabetes whose
condition requires insulin injections.
But the more immediate benefit of the teams research is likely to be
in providing researchers with a ready-made supply of human pancreatic
cells on which to study the disease process of diabetes and test new
drugs.
###
The research, which was funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation and the Medical Research Council, is published in the
journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) One.
Notes for editors:
Type-1 diabetes develops most frequently in children and adolescents;
it is most commonly treated through regular injections of insulin
into the bloodstream.
Type-2 diabetes is much more common, accounting for about 90 per cent
of all cases. It occurs most frequently in adults and is best
controlled through careful regulation of sugar intake in the diet.
The pancreatic beta cells produced by the team resembled foetal
pancreatic cells rather than the adult tissue. However, tests
elsewhere on mice have shown these foetal cells are able to develop
into adult cells following transplantation.
Publication details: Liew CG, Shah NN, Briston SJ, Shepherd RM, Khoo
CP, Dunne MJ, Moore HD, Cosgrove KE and Andrews PW (2008) Pax4
enhances beta-cell differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.
PLoS One 3(3): e1783.
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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