间质干细胞移植治疗1型糖尿病

Biology and Clinical Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Type 1 Diabetes Therapy

1型糖尿病是由胰岛β细胞的自身免疫性破坏所致。补充胰岛素是1型糖尿病最基本的治疗，胰岛移植是治愈的根本。然而胰岛移植受供体缺乏的限制。来源于间质母细胞（MSCs）的胰岛生成细胞（IPCs）则成为一种新的有吸引力的选择。一方面，在体外，来源于胰腺、骨髓、脂肪组织、脐带血及组织的MSCs通过基因修饰能够分化成为IPCs。另一方面，MSCs可以作为人类胰岛素基因表达的载体。此外，MSCs的血管生成作用也能被用于糖尿病的治疗。总之，应用MSCs治疗1型糖尿病具有广阔前景。

Type 1 diabetes is caused by a cell mediated autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β- cells. While insulin replacement remains the cornerstone treatment for type 1 diabetes,the transplantation of pancreatic islets of Langerhans provides a cure for this disorder. And yet,islet transplantation is limited by the lack of donor pancreas. Generation of insulin-producing ceils （ IPCs ） from MSCs represents an attractive alternative. On the one hand, MSCs from pancreas, bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood and cord tissue have the potential to differentiate into IPCs by genetic modification and/or defined culture conditions in vitro. On the other hand, MSCs are able to serve as a cellular vehicle for the expression of human insulin gene. Moreover, protein transduction technology could offer a novel approach for generating IPCs from stem cells including MSCs. In this review, firstly, the current knowledge on the biological characterization of MSCs was summarized. Next, MSCs were considered as surrogate β-cell source for islet transplantation, and present some basic requirements for these replacement ceils. Finally, MSCs-mediated therapeutic neovascularization in type 1 diabetes is discussed. Moreover,the angiogenic effect of MSCs could also be utilized for diabetes treatment. In conclusion,the prospect of MSCs in treating type 1 diabetes seems to be very promising.