Pancreas and Beta Cell Replacement is the inaugural volume of the Regenerative and Transplant Medicine series. The idea for this new book series spawned from the observation that the regenerative medicine field is progressing at such a fast pace that the way we currently think and practice transplant medicine is rapidly changing, faster than we could ever imagine. This series was therefore conceived to bring together experts from both the transplant and regenerative medicine fields, to share knowledge first, but also to introduce the transplant audience to the remarkable progress that has occurred in regenerative medicine over the past few decades. At the same time, we intend to illustrate to researchers and operators in the regenerative medicine field the numerous platforms that transplant medicine offers for the application of their technologies. To the publisher and the editors of this series and volumes there is no doubt that regenerative medicine will shape and define the future of transplant medicine. This volume focuses on pancreas and beta cell replacement and illustrates how progress in biomaterial sciences, stem cell biology, gene editing, cell, tissue and organ bioengineering and regeneration, along with advances in xenotransplantation are revolutionizing the field. Written by the world’s experts in the fields of pancreas, islet and xenotransplantation, as well as regenerative medicine, it represents a valuable educational tool for those in the fields of clinical transplantation, researchers in the field of regenerative medicine, transplant medicine, diabetes and immunology, as well as for medical and health science students, those in academia, the biotech industry and regulatory agencies working to advance the field. At the end of the book, it will become clear to the reader that beta cell replacement offers a vast array of platforms for the application of regenerative medicine technologies to transplant medicine. First volume in the Regenerative and Transplant Medicine series, focusing on the pancreas Includes an overview of the field, including developments of transplantation methods and techniques Builds on previous works and demonstrates how regenerative and transplant medicine work together to provide an increased ability to improve health care outcomes for individuals

The beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans are the only cells in the body that produce and secrete insulin. This metabolic hormone plays a central role in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. This book provides a comprehensive review of the beta cell in health and disease. The book’s primary aim is to encourage investigators to become actively involved in diabetes research and the search for new approaches to prevent and treat diabetes.

Transplantation, Bioengineering, and Regeneration of the Endocrine Pancreas, Volume 2, sets a new standard in transplant and regenerative medicine. The book details the state-of-the-art in modern islet auto-transplantation, also discussing current progress in regenerative medicine research in diabetes medicine. Regenerative medicine is changing the premise of solid organ transplantation, hence this volume catalogs technologies being developed and methods being implemented. Bioengineering and regenerating beta cells, clinical pancreas and islet transplantation, tissue engineering, biomaterial sciences, stem cell biology and developmental biology are all addressed and applied directly to diabetes medicine. Provides comprehensive and cutting-edge knowledge of whole pancreas and islet transplantation Addresses imaging, treatment, scaffold technology, the use of stem cells to generate insulin, 3D printing, and more Offers an update on the progress of regenerative medicine research aimed at beta cell replacement for the treatment of diabetes

Beta cell replacement through transplantation remains the only treatment option for Type 1 diabetes enabling restoration of near-physiological glucose levels without significant hypoglycemia. Outlining the most recent advances and research breakthroughs, this practical guide and reference work explores the impact of islet cell transplantation and b

Plasticity in insulin-producing cells (β-cells) of the pancreas is a major contributor to metabolic control. Targeted regeneration of pancreatic β-cells for the reversal of diabetes (by optimizing β-cells mass and proliferation to meet metabolic requirements and counter autoimmune response) is still a theoretical intervention. This monograph reviews the biology, ontogeny, capabilities, and present practical limitations of β-cell plasticity. Relevant biochemical pathways are described with the inclusion of information about how they change with aging, during pregnancy, and with diet. Readers will learn the following key aspects about β-cell plasticity: -current knowledge of pancreatic β-cells development, and how β-cell mass and proliferation change throughout the human lifespan -the mechanisms responsible for β-cell plasticity, based on animal models and clinical studies revealing environmental, epigenetic, endocrine and paracrine regulators -the therapeutic potential of resident stem cells within the pancreas / bone marrow and β-cell progenitors This monograph is essential reading for researchers interested in updated knowledge about the molecular and cellular biology of β-cells in the quest to find a reliable therapy for diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus is the principle cause of kidney failure and blindness in adults and leads to more cases of amputation and impotence than any other disease. It is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood. The aims of pancreas or islet transplantation are to improve the quality of life of patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and to ameliorate secondary complications. This book provides a comprehensive and international review of the recent advances in pancreas and islet transplantation. It covers surgical techniques, issues surrounding organ preservation, immunosuppression and the control of other complications, all of which contribute to the potential for such transplantations to evolve as the treatment of choice for insulin dependent diabetes. The editors have compiled a strong and international team of contribution authors. This book is essential reading for transplant surgeons and all those involved in researching or treating diabetes mellitus.

Progression of chronic diseases in general and chronic kidney disease in particular has been traditionally viewed in the light of various contributors to development of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial scarring culminating in renal fibrosis. Indeed, this dogma prevailed for decades underscoring experimental attempts to halt fibrotic processes. Breakthrough investigations of the past few years on stem/progenitor cell involvement in organ regeneration caused a conceptual shift in tackling the mechanisms of nephrosclerosis. It has become clear that the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease is the net sum of the opposing trends: degenerative fibrotic processes and regenerative repair mechanisms. The latter part of this equation has been by and large ignored for years and only recently attracted investigative attention. This book revisits the problem of kidney disease by focusing on regenerative mechanisms in renal repair and on the ways these regenerative processes can become subverted by an intrinsic disease process eventuating in its progression. Cutting-edge investigations are summarized by the most experienced international team of experts. Presents a comprehensive, translational source for all aspects of renal stem cells, tissue regeneration, and stem cell therapies for renal diseases in one reference work. This will ultimately result in time savings for academic, medical and pharma researchers Experts in the renal stem cell system in kidney repair and regeneration take readers from the bench research to new therapeutic approaches, providing a common language for nephrology researchers, fellows and other stem cell researchers. This enables the discussion of development of stem cells and their use in the repair and regeneration of the kidney