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World J Diabetes. Jun 15, 2014; 5(3): 235-243
Published online Jun 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i3.235
Adipose stem cell-based regenerative medicine for reversal of diabetic hyperglycemia
Hyun Joon Paek, Courtney Kim, Stuart K Williams
Hyun Joon Paek, Courtney Kim, Biologics, Tissue Genesis Institute, LLC, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
Stuart K Williams, Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Author contributions: Paek HJ wrote the manuscript; Kim C and Williams SK reviewed and revised it.
Correspondence to: Hyun Joon Paek, PhD, Director, Biologics, Tissue Genesis Institute, LLC, 810 Richards Street, Suite 1000, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States. jpaek@tissuegenesis.com
Telephone: +1-808-7725590 Fax: +1-808-5595339
Received: December 12, 2013
Revised: January 30, 2014
Accepted: May 8, 2014
Published online: June 15, 2014
Processing time: 186 Days and 10.3 Hours
Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is a devastating disease that affects millions of people globally and causes a myriad of complications that lead to both patient morbidity and mortality. Currently available therapies, including insulin injection and beta cell replacement through either pancreas or pancreatic islet transplantation, are limited by the availability of organs. Stem cells provide an alternative treatment option for beta cell replacement through selective differentiation of stem cells into cells that recognize glucose and produce and secrete insulin. Embryonic stem cells, albeit pluripotent, face a number of challenges, including ethical and political concerns and potential teratoma formation. Adipose tissue represents an alternative source of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells, which can be obtained using a relatively simple, non-invasive, and inexpensive method. Similarly to other adult mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are capable of differentiating into insulin-producing cells. They are also capable of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, which facilitate engraftment of donor pancreatic islets when co-transplanted. Additionally, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of ADSCs can protect donor islets during the early phase of transplantation and subsequently improve engraftment of donor islets into the recipient organ. Although ADSC-therapy is still in its infancy, the potential benefits of ADSCs are far reaching.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes; Insulin; Stem cells; Adipose; Pancreas; Beta-cells; Differentiation

Core tip: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can provide a promising cell therapy for treatment of diabetes and associated complications. ADSCs’ multipotency allows differentiation into insulin-producing β-cells. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capabilities of ADSCs can facilitate enhanced engraftment of transplanted donor islets. Although many challenges lie ahead for ADSC-based cell therapies are used clinically to treat diabetic hyperglycemia, ADSCs represent a novel treatment option to many diabetic patients worldwide.