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Zhang X, Ma Z, Song E, Xu T. Islet organoid as a promising model for diabetes. Protein Cell 2021; 13:239-257. [PMID: 33751396 PMCID: PMC7943334 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00831-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on diabetes have long been hampered by a lack of authentic disease models that, ideally, should be unlimited and able to recapitulate the abnormalities involved in the development, structure, and function of human pancreatic islets under pathological conditions. Stem cell-based islet organoids faithfully recapitulate islet development in vitro and provide large amounts of three-dimensional functional islet biomimetic materials with a morphological structure and cellular composition similar to those of native islets. Thus, islet organoids hold great promise for modeling islet development and function, deciphering the mechanisms underlying the onset of diabetes, providing an in vitro human organ model for infection of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, and contributing to drug screening and autologous islet transplantation. However, the currently established islet organoids are generally immature compared with native islets, and further efforts should be made to improve the heterogeneity and functionality of islet organoids, making it an authentic and informative disease model for diabetes. Here, we review the advances and challenges in the generation of islet organoids, focusing on human pluripotent stem cell-derived islet organoids, and the potential applications of islet organoids as disease models and regenerative therapies for diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Zhuo Ma
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Eli Song
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Tao Xu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (Bioland Laboratory), Guangzhou, 510005, China.
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Heller S, Melzer MK, Azoitei N, Julier C, Kleger A. Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Go Diabetic: A Glimpse on Monogenic Variants. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:648284. [PMID: 34079523 PMCID: PMC8166226 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.648284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes, as one of the major diseases in industrial countries, affects over 350 million people worldwide. Type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are the most common forms with both types having invariable genetic influence. It is accepted that a subset of all diabetes patients, generally estimated to account for 1-2% of all diabetic cases, is attributed to mutations in single genes. As only a subset of these genes has been identified and fully characterized, there is a dramatic need to understand the pathophysiological impact of genetic determinants on β-cell function and pancreatic development but also on cell replacement therapies. Pluripotent stem cells differentiated along the pancreatic lineage provide a valuable research platform to study such genes. This review summarizes current perspectives in applying this platform to study monogenic diabetes variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Heller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Sandra Heller, ; Cécile Julier, ; Alexander Kleger,
| | - Michael Karl Melzer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Urology, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ninel Azoitei
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cécile Julier
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR-8104, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Sandra Heller, ; Cécile Julier, ; Alexander Kleger,
| | - Alexander Kleger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Sandra Heller, ; Cécile Julier, ; Alexander Kleger,
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Balboa D, Iworima DG, Kieffer TJ. Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model Islet Defects in Diabetes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:642152. [PMID: 33828531 PMCID: PMC8020750 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.642152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose and is ultimately caused by insufficient insulin production from pancreatic beta cells. Different research models have been utilized to unravel the molecular mechanisms leading to the onset of diabetes. The generation of pancreatic endocrine cells from human pluripotent stem cells constitutes an approach to study genetic defects leading to impaired beta cell development and function. Here, we review the recent progress in generating and characterizing functional stem cell-derived beta cells. We summarize the diabetes disease modeling possibilities that stem cells offer and the challenges that lie ahead to further improve these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Balboa
- Regulatory Genomics and Diabetes, Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Diego Balboa,
| | - Diepiriye G. Iworima
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Timothy J. Kieffer
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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54
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Bilekova S, Sachs S, Lickert H. Pharmacological Targeting of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Pancreatic Beta Cells. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 42:85-95. [PMID: 33353789 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes is a disease with pandemic dimensions and no pharmacological treatment prevents disease progression. Dedifferentiation has been proposed to be a driver of beta-cell dysfunction in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Regenerative therapies aim to re-establish function in dysfunctional or dedifferentiated beta cells and restore the defective insulin secretion. Unsustainable levels of insulin production, with increased demand at disease onset, strain the beta-cell secretory machinery, leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Unresolved chronic ER stress is a major contributor to beta-cell loss of function and identity. Restoring ER homeostasis, enhancing ER-associated degradation of misfolded protein, and boosting chaperoning activity, are emerging therapeutic approaches for diabetes treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bilekova
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Medical Faculty, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Sachs
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Medical Faculty, Munich, Germany
| | - Heiko Lickert
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Medical Faculty, Munich, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
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Gurlin RE, Giraldo JA, Latres E. 3D Bioprinting and Translation of Beta Cell Replacement Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2020; 27:238-252. [PMID: 32907514 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2020.0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's own immune system selectively attacks beta cells within pancreatic islets resulting in insufficient insulin production and loss of the ability to regulate blood glucose (BG) levels. Currently, the standard of care consists of BG level monitoring and insulin administration, which are essential to avoid the consequences of dysglycemia and long-term complications. Although recent advances in continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery systems have resulted in improved clinical outcomes for users, nearly 80% of people with T1D fail to achieve their target hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels defined by the American Diabetes Association. Intraportal islet transplantation into immunosuppressed individuals with T1D suffering from impaired awareness of hypoglycemia has resulted in lower HbA1c, elimination of severe hypoglycemic events, and insulin independence, demonstrating the unique potential of beta cell replacement therapy (BCRT) in providing optimal glycemic control and a functional cure for T1D. BCRTs need to maximize cell engraftment, long-term survival, and function in the absence of immunosuppression to provide meaningful clinical outcomes to all people living with T1D. One innovative technology that could enable widespread translation of this approach into the clinic is three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting. Herein, we review how bioprinting could facilitate translation of BCRTs as well as the current and forthcoming techniques used for bioprinting of a BCRT product. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of 3D bioprinting in this context in addition to the road ahead for the development of BCRTs. Impact statement Significant research developments in beta cell replacement therapies show its promise in providing a functional cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D); yet, their widespread clinical use has been difficult to achieve. This review provides a brief overview of the requirements for a beta cell replacement product followed by a discussion on both the promise and limitations of three-dimensional bioprinting in facilitating the fabrication of such products to enable translation into the clinic. Advancements in this area could be a key component to unlocking the safety and effectiveness of beta cell therapy for T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Gurlin
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Velazco-Cruz L, Goedegebuure MM, Millman JR. Advances Toward Engineering Functionally Mature Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived β Cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:786. [PMID: 32733873 PMCID: PMC7363766 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human stem cell-derived β (SC-β) cells have the potential to revolutionize diabetes treatment through disease modeling, drug screening, and cellular therapy. SC-β cells are likely to represent an early clinical translation of differentiated human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). In 2014, two groups generated the first in vitro-differentiated glucose-responsive SC-β cells, but their functional maturation at the time was low. This review will discuss recent advances in the engineering of SC-β cells to understand and improve SC-β cell differentiation and functional maturation, particularly new differentiation strategies achieving dynamic glucose-responsive insulin secretion with rapid correction to normoglycemia when transplanted into diabetic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Velazco-Cruz
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Madeleine M Goedegebuure
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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