Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to renew themselves and also have the ability to transform into different types of cells such as adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts. MSCs can be obtained from sources including bone marrow, fat tissue, nervous tissues, amniotic fluid, umbilical cords, placentas, menstrual blood, and dental pulp.
Even though diabetes does not usually cause ulcers, when it does develop, it can lead to foot ulcers and even limb amputations without adequate clinical therapy. Diabetes is characterized by reduced blood flow to the peripheral nerves and deficiencies in angiogenic and neurotrophic factors- only delivering these factors through protein or gene therapy is very modest at best.
Multiple studies have shown that MSCs are a new form of regenerative treatment for diabetes because they are multipotent cells able to change the progression of diabetes. They reverse manifestations, repair damaged tissue, and also secrete compounds that fight hyperglycemia or increased blood sugar levels; while at the same time secreting growth factors, cytokines, and immunomodulators that can alleviate symptoms caused by diabetes.
Challenges to translating MSC therapy into the clinic include safety, a dose of administration, mode of cell delivery, heterogeneous expression within populations of cells, robust engraftment where clinically relevant, autologous or allogeneic approaches depending on patient need; challenge with manufacturing cells for transplantation; and finally understanding how stem cells work at an even deeper level.