Aaron I. Vinik, M.D., Ph.D. I IEastem Virginia Medical School The Diabetes Institutes Norfolk, Virginia 23510 This symposium, held in June 1991, was a gathering of international scientists to exchange their views on current concepts of cell growth and differentiation. Each scientist was asked to present a topic of their research related to cell growth and regeneration and to participate in a round table conference elaborating on current knowledge and sharing their experiences. By furthering this promising area of endeavor, a means of understanding ontogeny of cell development and of providing insights into tumor biology would prevail. Of prime importance was the anticipation that new information from a better understanding of the normal evolution of the pancreatic islet would generate alternative approaches to curing diabetes. This forward serves as a short introduction to the concept of pancreatic islet regeneration and the models currently in use to study the process. DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGIN OF ISLETS DURING EMRYOGENESIS The developing pancreas appears as a protrusion from the dorsal surface of the l embryonic gut. The different islet cell types appear sequentially during development in vivo. It therefore seems reasonable to propose that coordinated growth is dependent upon specificity of growth factors.

This book, Islet Cell Growth Factors, provides a timely contribution to the current thinking regarding the concepts in the area of islet cell regeneration with special reference to insulin secreting beta cells. The contributions are from leaders in the field with a long-standing interest in the area of islet biology.In the first chapter Drs. Dirice

This comprehensive volume discusses in vitro laboratory development of insulin-producing cells. It encompasses multiple aspects of islet biology—from embryonic development and stem cell differentiation to clinical studies in islet transplantation, regulation of islet beta-cell regeneration, pancreatic progenitors, mathematical modelling of islet development, epigenetic regulation, and much more. The chapter authors represent leading laboratories from around the world who contribute their international perspectives and global expertise. Collectively, they provide the reader with a concise yet detailed knowledge of processes and current developments in islet regenerative biology. Pancreatic Islet Biology, part of the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine series, is essential reading for researchers and clinicians in stem cells or endocrinology, especially those focusing on 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

From the discovery of Pdx1, the first “master gene” of pancreatic development, to the most recent findings on the role of microRNAs in beta cell homeostasis, the last fifteen years have seen an unprecedented advance in our understanding of the precise development and organization of the many different cell types that make up the pancreas. It is now widely acknowledged that the therapeutic differentiation of stem cells into pancreatic cells is an ambitious endeavor that will not succeed without a thorough understanding of the molecular processes underlying the native development of the organ. This book, aimed at experts and students alike, offers a comprehensive review of the state of the art in both pancreatic development and regeneration. The many strategies to differentiate adult and embryonic stem cells into pancreatic beta cells are also discussed in the context of potential therapeutic interventions for type I diabetes.

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.

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