Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Go Diabetic: A Glimpse on Monogenic Variants
Summary
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. Copyright © 2021 Heller, Melzer, Azoitei, Julier and Kleger.
| Authors | Heller S, Melzer MK, Azoitei N, Julier C, Kleger A |
|---|---|
| Journal | Frontiers in endocrinology |
| Publication Date | 2021;12:648284 |
| PubMed | 34079523 |
| PubMed Central | PMC8166226 |
| DOI | 10.3389/fendo.2021.648284 |