Behind Asthma, Type 1 or juvenile diabetes is the second most common chronic childhood disease. It affects 1.5 million Americans today and there are 15,000 new cases diagnosed every year.¹

Type 1 Diabetes is a disease most often diagnosed in children and young adults that is characterized by an inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. It is thought that Type 1 Diabetes is caused by an immune response that induces white blood cells to attack the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. There is currently no treatment for the disease, only the possibility of management through daily insulin injections and blood sugar monitoring. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly are also critical. People with diabetes may experience complications of the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels as a result of the disease, and are at a heightened risk of heart attacks. To learn more about Type 1 Diabetes, visit the resources available on the National Institutes of Health website.

The Potential for Cord Blood Stem Cells

A Phase I study at the University of Florida funded by the National Institute of Health and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, was the first attempt to use cord blood stem cells as a therapy for the disease. By infusing cord blood stem cells into the body, scientists were hopeful they could slow down the immune system’s attack on pancreatic cells producing insulin and perhaps replace them. Early results of the pilot were encouraging; with some patients finding that they did not require as much insulin in their daily shots.² The doctor leading the research, Dr. Michael Haller, is currently working on the second phase of the study. The hope is this research will provide new insight and may one day lead to a new treatment all people affected by Type 1 Diabetes.

For more insight into the University of Florida study, see Dr. Haller’s comments in, “New Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes Being Studied” published by NBC News Los Angeles and in Cord blood helped in type 1 diabetes: study” published by Reuters or watch a video interview with WebMD, “Umbilical cord blood tested for its use in slowing the advance of type 1 diabetes”.

The Potential for Cord Tissue Stem Cells

 
Human umbilical cord tissue is an abundant source of a special stem cell group known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hUC-MSCs) are being studied in pre-clinical research to determine their potential application in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes.

A report, published in Stem Cell Review authored by Anzalone et al,³ illustrates recent advances in successfully differentiating hUC-MSCs into mature islet-like clusters that possessed insulin-producing ability in vitro (in the laboratory) and in vivo (in the living organism) in an animal model of diabetes.

The study’s researchers also speculate on how MSCs derived from human umbilical cord tissue may represent a more promising regenerative medicine tool as compared to other sources of MSCs. hUC-MSCs seem to be the preferential source of stem cells to convert into insulin-producing cells, because of the large potential donor pool, its rapid availability, no risk of discomfort for the donor, and low risk of rejection.

For more information, review the abstract for “Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells as candidates for beta cells regeneration: extending the differentiative and immunomodulatory benefits of adult mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.”

References:

1. Posted June 5, 2008. US News & World Report. Sunlight, Vitamin D May Cut Kids' Diabetes Risk.

2. Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters. Cord blood helped in type 1 diabetes: study

3. Anzalone R, Lo Iacono M, Loria T, et al. Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells as candidates for beta cells regeneration: extending the differentiative and immunomodulatory benefits of adult mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Stem Cell Rev. 2010 Oct 23.