Could we be a step closer to curing Diabetes? I Varjitha
- hederahelixscience
- Dec 7, 2021
- 3 min read
Currently, in the UK around 400,000 people are living with Type 1 Diabetes of which 29,000 are children. In addition to this, the number of new diagnoses per year are increasing by around 4%. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease which basically means the immune system attacks itself and in the case of diabetes, the immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. Insulin is necessary to convert sugar into energy. Generally, autoimmune diseases are considered to not have a cure but have a way to be controlled. However, recently a group of researchers in America have used stem cells to make insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells.
THE PAST
Throughout history, we have seen stem cells being used to help fight cancers, blood related diseases and tissue regeneration. The fact that today we have reached a point where autoimmune diseases could have a cure, through stem cells, in itself shows how advanced medical technology is becoming and makes one extremely hopeful for the future. The possible cure to the autoimmune disease came about when the group of researchers found a new molecular mediator (group of proteins that allows the formation of cells), which would allow the stem cells to differentiate to two different points before becoming mature cells. These two points are referred to as the mesoderm or the endoderm stage. The molecular mediator consists of a chemical compound CHIR (CHIR99021), which activates the signaling pathway, leading the cell to differentiate in different ways.
Mesoderm→ the signalling pathway is fully activated
Endoderm→ cell that can be changed to a mature pancreatic beta cell or liver cell.
THE PROCESS
In order to successfully differentiate the stem cells into the necessary endoderm cells, the researchers had to find the optimum concentration of CHIR to use. After numerous amounts of testing, the researchers found the exact concentration and condition needed for the cells to develop and then tested the pancreatic beta cells with glucose. The results received from this was that the cells produced insulin depending on the amount of glucose present. As for the future of the researchers' findings, they are planning to cover the beta cells with polymers before transplanting them and hoping to move to clinical trials.
Xiaojun ‘Lance’ Lian, a professor, who is part of the group of scientists that made this discovery said, "If we could convert stem cells into pancreatic beta cells and transfer them back to the patient, it might be possible to cure diabetes. It's a difficult question. Scientists have been trying to find the solution for more than 20 years. Our lab realized we had to take a different approach."
THE HURDLE
Despite the numerous benefits that stem cells have provided for the medical world, many still question the ethics of stem cell research. The controversy lies with the fact that often stem cell research involves the development and use of embryonic stem cells. Many believe people should not destroy an embryo that has the chance to develop on its own. Also, stem cell transplantation has often been found to include the formation of tumors and contamination of viruses, pathogens and bacteria. Embryonic stem cells are more preferred despite the questioning of its morality as it has the ability to create any type of cell, on the other hand, adult cells only have the ability to make cells from the tissue they originally came from.
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