Converting Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Beta Cells - Coursework Example

TYPE 1 DIABETES REMEDY Name: Tutor: Course: Institution: Date: TYPE 1 DIABETES REMEDY Part 1:Converting Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Beta Cells Introduction Type 1 diabetes refers to the health condition that arises when a person’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas between the ages of childhood and adolescence. In the search for the cure of this type of diabetes, scientists have come up with a way to replace the insulin producing beta cells with the human pancreatic beta cells(Trinh et al.2016). This process referred to as Pancreatic Islet transplantation (PIT) offers a psychological therapeutical approach that has shown a great benefit to the recipients. This is with regard to the ability to independently attain insulin and create a protective effect from hypoglycaemia in the first year of operation. Matthias Hebrok, PhD, who is a director of the Diabetes Centre at UCSF, stated that the results demonstrated that human skin cells can be used efficiently. In addition, he was of the opinion that they can rapidly generate functioning pancreatic cells that behave in a similar ways to the Human beta cells(Drummond, Kunath, Mee, and Ross2011). The finding itself shows that the medical field has opened up the opportunity for analysis in the areas of science that deal with patient-specific pancreatic beta cell properties. Likewise, it indicates that the success has achieved the complete optimization of cell therapy. The Process Scientists have adopted a particular process that best works in this transplantation activity and one that has been used in procedures to create the heart, liver and brain cells before. The first step involves the use of pharmaceutical and genetic molecules to restructure skin cells into the endoderm progenitor cells(Trinh et al.2016). The Progenitor cells in this case refer to the early developmental cells pre designed to mature into a number of different body organs. This method is very advanced as there is no need to return the cells to a pluripotent stem cell state hence easily turned into pancreatic cells. Secondly, there is the introduction of four molecules into the endoderm cells whichdivide rapidly allowing a bigger explosion as the cells do not show any formation of a tumour. This process signifiesthe maintenance of the cell identities as early organ specific cells. The third step comprises of two stepsthat comprises of the progression of the endoderm cells first into the pancreatic precursor cells then to the full functioning pancreatic beta cells. Figure 1: Image showing how to make a functional Beta Cell Source:http://dev.biologists.org/content/140/12/2472.article-info The resultant conclusive results have been tested on micethe cells prevented them from developing diabetes due to the ability to independently produce insulin in response to changes in the glucose level(Hao et al. 2013). In human beings, the innovative process will require that the implanting is done in small plastic pouches filled with insulin-producing cells and placed right under the patient’s skin. It is expected that blood vessels will grow around the implants and this will allow the stem cells put in the respective pouches to release the necessary dose of insulin based on the patient’s blood sugar levels. Limitations of the application of Pancreatic Islet transplantation (PIT) The main one is on the issue of procuring the sufficient islet yield which in most cases comes from deceased donors. This means that there will be fewer islets and because of this, bigger challenges are raised in the achievement of insulin independence A significant number of the islets become non-functional in the course of the process. Numerous results have shown that close to 20 per cent of the islets contained in the pancreas are required to maintain euglycaemia Vulnerability to hypoxic stress. The already transplanted islets are usually avascular ion shape, however, the islet revascularisation process takes close to three weeks to complete and the process subjects a lot of pressure. Failure. Immediately after transplantation, it is [possible that there will be difficult to ensure the islet survival and this means that the process will eventually fail. Solutions In the recent study, it had been identified that the female hormone, 17β-oestradiol (E2, provides sufficient conditions or necessary help required to stabilize the process in a number of ways. They include the protection of both the mouse and the human islet from apoptosis which arises from multiple injuries. In addition, it stimulates endometrial angiogenesis and enables the recovery of the endothelial cell after injury has taken place. Further, research shows that it may be useful in the improvement of islet functioning and during the process of revascularisation in the course of the Pancreatic islet transplantation process. Part 2: Response Following Material Implantation It is important to understand the biological responses to implanted materials in any tissue engineered construction. For instance, in the conversion of human pluripotent stem cells into beta cells, several events occur in the surrounding tissues that result in the formation of foreign body cells at the tissue interface. The consequences could lead to the failure of the process completely or the death of the patient. A study carried out at the University of Alberta for instance is using small implants filled with stem cells to regulate insulin in a number of patients that are carefully supervised (Gladstone Institutes 2016). This is to test whether the technology will be viable enough to prove that injections are not the sole solution. In addition to this, testing of the converted pluripotent stem cells to beta cells has been done and has been successful in mice and currently, the process intends to test the same on human beings(Luttikhuizen and Luyn 2015). There are a number of people who are already in trial and within the next two years, the outcome of the test will show the way forward in medicine. One of the trial patients is a man from Canada, Chris Townsend who is a Type 1 diabetic and needs insulin and constant blood tests(Gladstone Institutes 2016). He as one of the people under trial already has eight of the plastic pouches implanted, with some under his arms and others his abdominal area. The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) is optimistic that observation and proper care of this patient will help record any changes that may either make the experiment faulty or successful. Due to the complexity of man compared to that of the mice, the CDA is aware that the effects may not translate to the same conclusion. However, linking up with technological companies that can help advance this research is one of the important next steps suggested by the CDA. This will advance the ability to create an interaction between the host and the stem cells of the implanted construct(Mayhew and Wells 2016). At the same time, there will be a tissue engineered device important as inflammatory mediators and signaling molecules of growth factors or any other activities different from the original environment. Subjecting the cells near the material transplanted to an environment of low pH and other enzymes specific to the testing of the activity of the foreign body to analyze its reaction. This is so that it is made certain that the material transplanted has the ability to perform the expected duties even in a compromised environment. In order for the transplanted cells to be at optimal performance, it should be observed that it can provide the relevant biomimetic environment to ensure the survival of the cells. This includes the ability to migrate and adjust hence offering the in depth understanding of whether the transplant works well enough to ensure the host survival. Generally, considering how the immune system interacts with these cells will be the best way forward in preventing a fibrotic host versus implanted cell response. Part 3: Communication to the Public and Diabetes Sufferers Diabetes as a health issue is very sensitive to diabetic sufferers and families of those that affected. It is important therefore to realise that an issue such as a successive transplant may be a sensitive topic that may raise hopes too fast or destroy the same based on the circumstances. In addition, medical practitioners many at times lack sensitivity on the matter resulting to probable suits and patient dissatisfaction hence lowering the quality of care, increasing costs and the risk of lawsuits. In this case therefore, it is important that certain solutions are adopted such as; setting up of education programs that train on how to handle matters as important as this either in the media or in person(Chander, 2009). Similarly, additional help may be sought from professionals already trained in communication skills that will have better ways of reaching the public. Overall however, a systematic step by step explanation in interviews or written news may help reach more people who are interested in understanding this process better for future purposes. Conclusion It is evident from this research that the issue of implantable human insulin is a very important medical milestone and soon to be success story. With proper understanding of the procedure, the probable problems that may arise and the solutions that the process may bring, the process should be considered carefully in all contexts. The recent mouse model findings have spearheaded the initiative with the successful outcome and the human trials are on a verge of identifying further issues to be addressed. This paper shows the process itself and the current state of the matter with regard to all the important areas as well as the probable ways to communicate to diabetes sufferers and their families of this important medical discovery. References Chander, K., 2009. Caring for heart transplant patients: suggestion for a new communication tool. The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 19(6), pp.620-621. Drummond, R.J., Kunath, T., Mee, P.J. and Ross, J.A., 2011. Induced pluripotent stem cell technology and stem cell therapy for diabetes (Review). Experimental and therapeutic medicine, 2(1), pp.3-7. Gladstone Institutes., 2016. "Insulin-producing pancreatic cells created from human skin cells: New cells prevented the onset of diabetes in an animal model of the disease." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 January 2016. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160106091738.html Hao, J., Zhu, W., Sheng, C., Yu, Y. and Zhou, Q., 2013. Human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells: one potential resource for cell therapy. Science in China Series C: Life Sciences, 52(7), pp.599-602. Luttikhuizen DT., and, Van Luyn MJ, 2015. Cellular and molecular dynamics in the foreign body reaction. Tissue Eng.;12(7) Mayhew, C.N. and Wells, J.M., 2016. Converting human pluripotent stem cells into beta cells: recent advances and future challenges. Current opinion in organ transplantation, 15(1), p.54. Trinh, QM, Jeon, K, Lim, H Kim, JH, Thuan &Cho, S.G., 2012. Differentiation and transplantation of functional pancreatic beta cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a type 1 diabetes mouse model. Stem cells and development, 21(14), pp.2642-2655. Read More