Marrow-derived stem cell transplant induces pancreatic regeneration in mice

Treatment with adult bone marrow-derived stem cells can initiate pancreatic regeneration in a murine model of diabetes, according to a report published in the June 22nd advance online issue of Nature Biotechnology.

In the new study, Dr. Mickie Bhatia, from the Roberts Research Institute, London, Ontario, and colleagues transplanted adult bone marrow-derived cells that expressed the stem cell marker c-kit into mice with streptozotocin-induced pancreatic damage, which results in hyperglycemia.The authors found that treatment with the stem cells reduced the hyperglycemia. The donor cells did not directly correct the glucose abnormality, and very few donor cells were found in the recipient pancreas. Instead, the donor cells seemed to stimulate regeneration of the recipient’s own islet cells, which, in turn, produced insulin and reduced the hyperglycemia.”The capacity of transplanted bone marrow-derived stem cells to initiate endogenous pancreatic tissue regeneration represents a previously unrecognized means by which these cells can contribute to the restoration of organ function,” the investigators write.The mechanism by which donor cells induced regeneration is unclear, but given the speed with which it occurred “endogenous pancreatic stem cells may mediate the restorative process through endothelial interactions,” the researchers note. (Source: Nat Biotechnol 2003: Reuters Health: June 23, 2003: Oncolink)