Direct differentiation of bone marrow mononucleated cells into insulin producing cells using pancreatic β-cell-derived components

In Vivo Differentiation of Endogenous Bone Marrow-Derived Cells into Insulin-Producing Cells Using Four Soluble Factors

Four soluble factors-putrescine, glucosamine, nicotinamide, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor BP-1-102-were shown to differentiate bone marrow mononucleated cells (BMNCs) into functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro. Transplantation of these IPCs improved hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. However, the role of endogenous BMNC regeneration in this effect was unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of these factors on in vivo BMNC differentiation into IPCs in diabetic mice. Mice were orally administered the factors for 5 days, twice at 2-week intervals, and monitored for 45-55 days. Glucose tolerance, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and pancreatic insulin content were measured. Chimeric mice harboring BMNCs from insulin promoter luciferase/green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice were used to track endogenous BMNC fate. These factors lowered blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced insulin secretion. Immunostaining confirmed IPCs in the pancreas, showing the potential of these factors to induce β-cell regeneration and improve diabetes treatment.

Inflammatory Changes after Medical Suppression of Suspected Endometriosis for Implantation Failure: Preliminary Results

Unexplained euploid embryo transfer failure (UEETF) is a frustrating and unanswered conundrum accounting for 30 to 50% of failures in in vitro fertilization using preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). Endometriosis is thought by many to account for most of such losses and menstrual suppression or surgery prior to the next transfer has been reported to be beneficial. In this study, we performed endometrial biopsy in a subset of women with UEETF, testing for the oncogene BCL6 and the histone deacetylase SIRT1. We compared 205 PGT-A cycles outcomes and provide those results following treatment with GnRH agonist versus controls (no treatment). Based on these and previous promising results, we next performed a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the orally active GnRH antagonist, elagolix, to oral contraceptive pill (OCP) suppression for 2 months before the next euploid embryo transfer, and monitored inflammation and miRNA expression in blood, before and after treatment. These studies support a role for endometriosis in UEETF and suggest that medical suppression of suspected disease with GnRH antagonist prior to the next transfer could improve success rates and address underlying inflammatory and epigenetic changes associated with UEETF.

Clinical Translational Potentials of Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific disease characterized by the deficiency of insulin caused by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet β cells. Stem cell-based therapies play essential roles in immunomodulation and tissue regeneration, both of which hold great promise for treating many autoimmune dysfunctions. However, their clinical translational potential has been limited by ethical issues and cell transplant rejections. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by almost all types of cells, performing a variety of cell functions through the delivery of their molecular contents such as proteins, DNAs, and RNAs. Increasing evidence suggests that stem cell-derived EVs exhibit similar functions as their parent cells, which may represent novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases including T1D. In this review, we summarize the current research progresses of stem cell-derived EVs for the treatment of T1D.

Adipose Tissue From Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Can Be Used to Generate Insulin-Producing Cells

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine whether responsive insulin-producing cells (IPCs) could be generated from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) isolated from patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

METHODS

We isolated ADSCs from adipose tissue of 4 patients (one patient with T1DM and 3 nondiabetic patients), who underwent surgery and differentiated them into IPCs with using a 2-step xeno-antigen free, 3-dimensional culture method. Characteristics of isolated ADSCs, in vitro cell quality, programmed cell death ligand-1 (PDL-1) expression, and transplantation into streptozotocin induced diabetic nude mice were investigated.

RESULTS

Adipose-derived stem cells from T1DM patients and commercially obtained ADSCs showed the same surface markers; CD31CD34CD45CD90CD105CD146. Moreover, the generated IPCs at day 21 demonstrated appropriate autonomous insulin secretion (stimulation index, 3.5; standard deviation, 0.8). Nonfasting blood glucose concentrations of IPC-transplanted mice were normal at 30 days. The normalized rate of IPC-transplanted mice was significantly higher than that of the sham-operated group (P < 0.05). Insulin-producing cells generated from T1DM adipose tissue expressed high levels of PDL-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin-producing cells obtained from adipose tissue of T1DM patients are capable of secreting insulin long-term and achieve normoglycemia after transplantation. Expression of PDL-1 suggests the potential for immune circumvention.