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Accessory cells for β‐cell transplantation
Author(s) -
Staels W.,
De Groef S.,
Heremans Y.,
Coppens V.,
Van Gassen N.,
Leuckx G.,
Van de Casteele M.,
Van Riet I.,
Luttun A.,
Heimberg H.,
De Leu N.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
diabetes, obesity and metabolism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.445
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1463-1326
pISSN - 1462-8902
DOI - 10.1111/dom.12556
Subject(s) - transplantation , medicine
Despite recent advances, insulin therapy remains a treatment, not a cure, for diabetes mellitus with persistent risk of glycaemic alterations and life‐threatening complications. Restoration of the endogenous β‐cell mass through regeneration or transplantation offers an attractive alternative. Unfortunately, signals that drive β‐cell regeneration remain enigmatic and β‐cell replacement therapy still faces major hurdles that prevent its widespread application. Co‐transplantation of accessory non‐islet cells with islet cells has been shown to improve the outcome of experimental islet transplantation. This review will highlight current travails in β‐cell therapy and focuses on the potential benefits of accessory cells for islet transplantation in diabetes.