Doctors have been using stem cells to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus for over 20 years. While stem cells can successfully treat these conditions, scientists haven’t understood the precise mechanisms at work.
New research indicates that doctors may soon be using stem cells to treat type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition affecting millions of people. It also reveals how stem cells help to treat inflammatory conditions.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes the pancreas to produce insufficient levels of insulin. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a person’s own pancreatic beta cells — the cells that produce insulin. It causes inflammation and a severe shortage of insulin.
Insulin is an essential hormone that helps sugars breakdown and enter cells. Without sufficient insulin, the glucose in the blood cannot enter cells and reaches high levels.
Diabetes Type 1 is usually treated with insulin and glucose monitoring. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for the condition and sufferers must use medication their entire lives.
Researchers are using stem cells to reset the patient’s immune system and stop it attacking their pancreatic beta cells. Once the immune system stops attacking these cells, the pancreas can begin to produce enough insulin.
The autologous hematopoietic stems cells (AHSC) used in the treatment can easily be obtained from the patient’s own peripheral blood or bone marrow. They are refined, then infused intravenously.
A recent study tested the efficacy and safety of AHSC on patients with type 1 diabetes. The study, published in journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy included 18 patients (12-35 years old). All patients had been recently diagnosed with the condition. A control group of 15 patients was also used.
The researchers began by extracting blood from each patient. This sample was used to test the changes to their blood over the period of the trial. After using stem cells on some subjects, the researchers noticed a reduction in the development of Th1 and Th17 cells. They are T-cells that cause inflammation. The researchers believe this is the reason why stem cells may be effective at treating inflammatory conditions.
Source: Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
{{cta(‘d59882b5-74e2-4033-be94-d4c340e1978c’)}}