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Generation of Islet-Like Structures From ES Cells

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Stem Cells in Endocrinology

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

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Abstract

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes, though different diseases, both involve inadequate cell mass of insulin-producing β cells, the most abundant cell type of pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Insulin injections alleviate hyperglycemia in the majority of diabetic patients. However, insulin therapy cannot provide the finely tuned control of glucose homeostasis afforded by native pancreatic islets. As a result, diabetic patients commonly develop multiple life-threatening complications, such as cardiovascular and kidney disease, neuropathy, and blindness. Recent successes in pancreatic islet transplantation (1) fueled new hope that this procedure could significantly improve the quality of life for diabetic patients. Unfortunately, because the islets needed for transplantation are obtained from cadaveric donors only, few patients can receive this therapy. The shortage of islets could potentially be overcome by deriving them from alternative sources such as embryonic stem (ES) cells. This chapter will provide a review of the recent progress in generating islet-like hormone-producing cell clusters from ES cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Islet and Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

    Nadya Lumelsky PhD

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  1. Nadya Lumelsky PhD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, Oregon

    Linda B. Lester MS, MD

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Lumelsky, N. (2005). Generation of Islet-Like Structures From ES Cells. In: Lester, L.B. (eds) Stem Cells in Endocrinology. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-900-1:147

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-900-1:147

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-407-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-900-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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