Insulin Producing Cells from Pluripotent Stem Cells

Reverses Diabetes in MiceA simple, robust and scalable method of directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem (hES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, generates insulin-producing cells in vitro that have reversed diabetes in vivo and in diabetic mice. A simple, broadly applicable four-step process demonstrates that hES and human iPS cells from dermal fibroblast cells generate insulin-producing cells. Insulin expression and secretion was detected from iPS-derived cells in vitro and in vivo by qPCR, and c-peptide release was confirmed by immunostaining. These results suggest that the method is robust enough to work with a range of cell types, meaning that iPS cells derived from diabetic patient somatic cells are not only a potential, but a highly attractive, source of cells for transplantation. The technology may also work using individual donor cell lines, making both autologous and allogeneic transplantation therapies possible.Simpler, More Productive Method to Derive Insulin Secreting CellsPrevious attempts at deriving insulin-secreting cells are not optimal: They are complex, complicated, multiple-step processes involving many added cytokines and growth factors as well as the toxic chemical cyclopamine. These methods also lack significant expansion of cell numbers. Islet replacement therapy is promising but suffers from limited availability of donor tissues. This method requires only four steps, uses a limited number of growth factors, and achieves similar results using a monoclonal antibody instead of toxic chemicals. Furthermore, it achieves expansion of cells during the process.BENEFITS AND FEATURES:Simple, robust and scalableGenerates insulin-producing cells in vitroShown to reverse diabetes in diabetic miceOnly four stepsUses fewer cytokines than other protocolsUses a monoclonal antibody; no cyclopamine toxicityOpens possibilities for both autologous and allogeneic transplantation therapiesAPPLICATIONS:Reversing/treating Types 1 and 2 diabetesGenerating therapies that provide sufficient islet replacement cellsInvestigating causes of type 1 diabetesDiabetic patients who suffer from frequent hypoglycemiaPatients with loss of detectable serum c-peptide and/or the complete loss of endogenous insulinIf anti-rejection medication could be reduced or excluded, may be used on childrenPotential applications using cells that secrete factors into circulation (e.g., clotting factors for hemophilia, erythropoietin for kidney failure, and hematopoietic factors for neutropenic patients) and for patients receiving marrow-ablative chemotherapyPhase of Development - In Vivo/animal studies

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