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Stem Cell Educator Therapy and Induction of Immune Balance

  • Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (D Dabelea, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Diabetes Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that causes the deficit of pancreatic islet β cells. A true cure has proven elusive despite intensive research pressure by using conventional approaches over the past 25 years. The situation highlights the challenges we face in conquering this disease. Alternative approaches are needed. Increasing evidence demonstrates that stem cells possess the function of immune modulation. We established the Stem Cell Educator therapy by using cord blood-derived multipotent stem cells (CB-SCs). A closed-loop system that circulates a patient’s blood through a blood cell separator, briefly co-cultures the patient’s lymphocytes with adherent CB-SCs in vitro, and returns the educated lymphocytes (but not the CB-SCs) to the patient’s circulation. Our clinical trial reveals that a single treatment with the Stem Cell Educator provides lasting reversal of autoimmunity that allows regeneration of islet β cells and improvement of metabolic control in subjects with long-standing T1D.

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Abbreviations

Aire:

autoimmune regulator

CB-SCs:

cord blood-derived multipotent stem cells

DCs:

dendritic cells

HLA:

human leukocyte antigen

HSCs:

hematopoietic stem cells

MSCs:

mesenchymal stem cells

NK:

natural killer cells

NO:

nitric oxide

PB-IPC:

peripheral blood-derived insulin-producing cells

PD-L1:

programmed death ligand 1

TGF-β1:

transforming growth factor-β1

T1D:

type 1 diabetes

Tregs:

regulatory T cells

TLR 3:

Toll-like receptor 3

TLR 4:

Toll-like receptor 4

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Acknowledgments

Supported by grants from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the American Diabetes Association, and China Jinan 5150 Program for Oversea Scholar.

Disclosure

Conflicts of interest: Y. Zhao: is employed by, is the Chairman of the Board for, and has stock/stock options for Tianhe Stem Cell Biotechnologies Inc.; is the inventor for Stem Cell Educator therapy and related technologies at the University of Illinois at Chicago;

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Yong Zhao

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  1. Yong Zhao
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Correspondence to Yong Zhao.

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Zhao, Y. Stem Cell Educator Therapy and Induction of Immune Balance. Curr Diab Rep 12, 517–523 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-012-0308-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-012-0308-1

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