Accepted Preprint first posted online on 6 May 2009
Journal of Endocrinology 2009;202:13.
Journal of Endocrinology (2009) In press
DOI: 10.1677/JOE-09-0097
© 2009 Society for Endocrinology
New sources of beta-cells for treating diabetes
Subhsri Sahu,
David Tosh and
Anandwardhan Hardikar
S Sahu, Stem Cells and Diabetes Section, National Center for Cell Science, Pune, India
D Tosh, Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
A Hardikar, Stem Cells and Diabetes Section, National Center for Cell Science, Pune, 411007, India
Correspondence: Anandwardhan Hardikar, Email: anand{at}isletbiology.com
The treatment of diabetes by islet transplantation is currently hampered by the shortage of organ donors. The generation of insulin-producing cells is therefore a major objective in the long term goal of curing diabetes. Alternative sources of pancreatic beta cells include existing pancreatic cells, embryonic stem cells and cells from other tissues such as liver. This commentary considers evidence for two new sources of beta cells: intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells and gall bladder epithelium. These observations raise the possibility that a patients own cells may be used as a source of insulin-producing cells for cell replacement in diabetes.
Copyright © 2009 by the Society for Endocrinology.