Pluripotent cells are define as cells that are capable of turning into any other cell type, for example a liver cell, skin cell, etc.
Why is this relevant? Researchers turned pluripotent stem cells into functional pancreatic beta cells. When these cells were transplanted into diabetic mice, the animals were cleared of the disease.
In simple terms, diabetes is the loss of function of beta cells. They either die (type 1 diabetes) or they are not efficient (type 2 diabetes). In both cases, it leads to lack of insulin that in turn causes an increase of blood glucose.
The process still has to be tested on humans, but the results are something to be excited about because diabetes is characterized bye the loss of function of beta cells. In transplanting new, healthy beta cells, we’ll be actually looking at a cure rather than a treatment.
