ABSTRACT Type 1 diabetes (TID) is a chronic disease caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, that progresses in three stages: 1) stage 1: β-cell autoimmunity + normoglycemia; 2) stage 2: β-cell autoimmunity + mild dysglycemia; 3) stage 3: symptomatic disease + hyperglycemia. Interventions to prevent or cure T1D in the various stages of the disease have been pursued and may target the prevention of the destruction of β cells, regression of insulitis, preservation or recovery of β cells residual […]

Islet transplant is an innovative treatment for type 1 diabetic patients, which still lies between experimental and approved transplant therapy. Islet cells are seeded in a non-physiological territory where an uncertain fraction will be able to adapt and survive. Thus, the challenge lies in improving the whole procedure, employing the tools of cell biology, immunology and laboratory techniques, in order to reach the results obtained with whole organ transplant. This review describes the procedure, its progress to the present methodology […]