Making β cells from adult tissues

Shimon Efrat*, Holger A. Russ

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

β-Cell replacement represents an attractive prospect for diabetes therapy. Although much hope has been placed on derivation of insulin-producing cells from human pluripotent stem cells, this approach continues to face considerable challenges. Cells from adult human tissues, with both stem/progenitor and mature phenotypes, offer a possible alternative. This review summarizes recent progress in two major strategies based on this cell source, . ex vivo expansion of human islet β cells and conversion of non-β cells into insulin-producing cells by nuclear reprogramming, and examines the obstacles that remain to be overcome for bringing these strategies closer to clinical application in diabetes therapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)278-285
Number of pages8
JournalTrends in Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012

Funding

FundersFunder number
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
Israel Science Foundation

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