PubMed · 14964156
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Laurinda Poirier-Solomon. 2002. Getting physical.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14964156/
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Since 1921 and until recently, insulin by injection has been the only treatment for patients with diabetes mellitus type 1. After pancreas transplantation, which became possible in 1977, the next logical step to cure patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 is the transplantation of the islets of Langerhans. In the last few years, the results of islet transplantation are markedly improved thanks to developments in the isolation technique and better immunosuppressive protocols. Ongoing problems in islet transplantation are allo-immunity, auto-immunity and the growing shortage of donor pancreases. Alternatives to pancreas donation, be it post-mortem or from a living donor, could be: sources for islets are xenotransplantation with the aid of pig islets and beta-cell neogenesis from embryonic stem cells or pancreatic duct cells.
Regulatory T cells are now recognized as important mediators of self-tolerance and may mediate responses to immune therapy. The mechanisms of action of these cells are diverse, and some studies suggest that there may be defects in regulatory cells in patients with type 1 diabetes. These cells may be expanded by immune therapy, suggesting the possible development of adoptive immune therapy to transfer regulation with the cells.