Dual Breakthroughs in Type 1 Diabetes Treatment: Two Separate Research Teams Report Success
Two separate research teams have published findings on experimental treatments for type 1 diabetes (T1D), with each study demonstrating success in preclinical models.
Stanford University: Double-Transplant Approach in Mice
Researchers at Stanford University, led by Seung Kim, MD, PhD, conducted an experiment on mice with type 1 diabetes. The study involved transplanting both pancreatic islet cells and blood stem cells from a healthy mouse into diabetic mice.
The treatment created a hybrid immune system containing cells from both the donor and the recipient. According to the researchers, this hybrid system prevented the host from rejecting the transplanted islet cells and prevented the immune system from attacking the recipient's own cells.
All 19 mice treated with the combination transplant did not develop type 1 diabetes.
Among 9 mice with long-term type 1 diabetes, all were cured. During a six-month follow-up period, none of the cured mice required insulin injections or immunosuppressant medication.
The study used a pre-transplant preparatory drug and a method developed by researcher Dr. Judith Shizuru. This method, which "knocks back" bone marrow rather than completely clearing it through intense radiation, was previously used for certain cancers including leukemia and lymphoma.
Challenges for Human Translation
The researchers noted that translating this method to humans faces two primary challenges:
- Pancreatic islet cells are currently only available from deceased donors, and blood stem cells must come from the same donor.
- The quantity of islet cells required for human treatment has not been determined.
Future research will focus on cultivating pancreatic islet cells from pluripotent stem cells or improving their survivability.
University of Missouri: Engineered Islet Transplants
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine developed a method to engineer islet cells to express two immune-regulating molecules: thrombomodulin and CD47.
According to the research team, led by Haval Shirwan, PhD, and Esma Yolcu, PhD:
- Thrombomodulin inhibits harmful inflammation that contributes to early islet destruction.
- CD47 signals immune cells to tolerate the transplant.
In a preclinical model, over 72% of recipients achieved normal glucose levels without insulin therapy.
Engineered islets expressing both molecules showed higher survival rates than islets expressing only one molecule or unmodified islets. The study was published in the journal JCI Insight.
The researchers stated that this approach could eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs if validated in humans. Further research is required to confirm safety and effectiveness in human subjects.
Background on Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin.
- Approximately 2 million people in the United States have T1D.
- The incidence is rising.
- Current standard management requires insulin injections.