A new study has discovered that cord blood stem cells could be used to change the behaviour of immune cells in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The researchers are calling the process Stem Cell Educator because the stem cells teach the immune cells how to behave.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the “beta” cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes will then have reduced levels of insulin, making it difficult for the body to remove sugar from the blood.
This new technique will treat the underlying autoimmune disorder, preventing the immune system from attacking pancreatic beta cells. This allows the pancreas to produce sufficient levels of insulin.
The first step of Stem Cell Educator involves taking blood from a person who has diabetes. The immune system cells, called lymphocytes, are extracted from the blood. These immune cells are then exposed to cord blood stem cells from umbilical cord blood.
The cord blood stem cells teach the immune system cells how they should behave. Finally, the lymphocytes are returned to the patient’s body. They begin behaving normally in the body and no longer attack the patient’s pancreas.
The researchers have decided to call the process Stem Cell Educator, because the cord blood stem cells are educating the immune cells on how to behave.
In type 2 diabetes, immune cell dysfunction is responsible for chronic inflammation. This inflammation causes cells to become resistant to insulin, so sugar cannot leave the blood effectively. The researchers believe that Stem Cell Educator may also be useful for this form of diabetes.
Research is ongoing, but initial trials using this technique have had very positive results!
Source: Stem Cell Educator Helps Diabetics
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