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Diabetes

Diabetes Research at the McEwen Centre
Background: What is Diabetes?
More Information

It was at Toronto General Hospital in 1922 that insulin was first administered to a patient, offering a critical lifeline to the world’s diabetics. That proud tradition of discovery continues today at the McEwen Centre, where researchers are committed to finding ways to recreate the complex metabolic functions of the human pancreas and bring new hope to the millions who suffer from diabetes.

Stem cell research

McEwen Investigators are exploring the process by which stem cells can become specialized pancreatic islet cells. If stem cells can be induced to produce islet cells capable of sensing glucose and releasing insulin in response, they could provide a new and virtually unlimited source of cells for transplantation.

• Dr. Derek van der Kooy’s group has identified a cell type found in the pancreas of adult mice that can proliferate in culture and produce many different types of pancreatic cells, including b-like pancreatic cells capable of producing and releasing insulin in response to glucose. These cells, called pancreas-derived multipotent precursors, are promising candidates for the development of cell replacement strategies for diabetes.

Figure: Differentiated cell progeny derived from a single pancreas-derived precursor cell. Green: labelling of insulin (pancreatic beta cells); red: labelling of a neuron-specific marker; blue: nuclei of all the cells present in the field. From Seaberg, et al, Nature Biotechnology, 2004 Sep;22(9):1115-24. Credit: Simon Smukler (van der Kooy lab)

• Dr. Gordon Keller’s group is involved in studies aimed at determining the optimal conditions to induce mouse and human embryonic stem cells to develop into early endocrine pancreas cells capable of producing insulin. Embryonic stem cells could one day provide an important source of human cells for the next generation of transplantation therapies for diabetes.

Background: What is Diabetes?

Despite steady advances in our understanding of the cause of diabetes, a growing number of individuals continue to be affected by this disease throughout the world. Regenerative medicine could provide new solutions for the management of diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the body does not have the ability to produce or use insulin effectively.

Insulin is normally produced by islet cells in the pancreas and is the hormone responsible for controlling how much glucose—a type of sugar—is used by the cells to produce energy.

If insulin is not produced (Type 1 diabetes) or if the body doesn’t respond to it (Type 2 diabetes), glucose stays in the blood and hyperglycemia (high blood glucose level) develops.

Two different types of Diabetes

Type 1:

• The most frequent type of diabetes in children
• Can also affect adults
• Caused by a loss of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas
• People with type 1 diabetes require daily injections of insulin

Type 2:

• The most common form of diabetes overall
• Typically affects older individuals
• Caused by a combination of defective production and response to insulin
• Risk factors include age, unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles

Diabetes can lead to a cascade of serious complications, including:

• Heart diseases and stroke
• Vision loss
• Kidney damage
• Poor circulation in the legs and feet (which could lead to amputation)

Current Therapies for the Treatment of Diabetes

• Diet modifications and exercise to control blood sugar levels
• Type 1 – Insulin injections
• Type 2 – Drug therapy – for example:
• Increase the insulin output by the pancreas
• Decrease the amount of glucose released from the liver
• Increase the sensitivity (response) of cells to insulin

More information on diabetes and current therapies:

• National Diabetes Education Program
• Canadian Diabetes Association
• American Diabetes Association
• National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Medline Plus – Diabetes