Volume 17, Issue 62 (5-2026)
NCMBJ 2026, 17(62): 1-22 |
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Heydari S F, Moosazadeh Moghaddam M, Sari S, Heiat M. A review of diabetes treatment using mesenchymal stem cells and the role of chemical and physical factors in the differentiation process. NCMBJ 2026; 17 (62) :1-22
URL: http://ncmbjpiau.ir/article-1-1806-en.html
URL: http://ncmbjpiau.ir/article-1-1806-en.html
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, New Health Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (92 Views)
Diabetes mellitus represents a major global health burden and necessitates the development of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring endogenous pancreatic function. Conventional treatments, including insulin therapy, oral hypoglycemic agents, and pancreas transplantation, are effective for glycemic control but fail to reestablish the physiological function of pancreatic β-cells. However, these approaches are limited by high costs, lifelong dependency, immune-related complications, and donor scarcity. In this context, cell-based therapy has emerged as a promising alternative for generating functional β-cells. Among the various cell sources, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained considerable attention due to their accessibility, immunomodulatory properties, and favorable safety profile. Despite substantial progress, conventional differentiation protocols primarily rely on exogenous chemical growth factors, which are often expensive, temporally unstable, and associated with heterogeneous cellular outcomes. Recent advances have shifted the focus toward incorporating biophysical and mechanical cues that recapitulate aspects of the native developmental microenvironment. Parameters such as substrate stiffness, surface nanotopography, and extracellular matrix architecture can modulate mechanotransduction pathways, thereby directing cell fate decisions in a more controlled and cost-effective manner. Accumulating evidence indicates that these physical stimuli significantly enhance the expression of critical pancreatic transcription factors, including PDX1 and NKX6.1, and promote glucose-responsive insulin secretion, ultimately improving the functional maturation of β-like cells in the pancreas. Collectively, the synergistic integration of biochemical and biophysical signals represents a rational and translational strategy for generating stable and functional β-cells and may pave the way for clinically applicable regenerative therapies for diabetes.
Keywords: Diabetes, Cell therapy, Mesenchymal stem cells, Chemical differentiation, Physical differentiation, Growth factors, Cell imprinting
Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
Cellular and molecular
Received: 2026/05/31 | Accepted: 2026/05/31 | Published: 2026/05/31
Received: 2026/05/31 | Accepted: 2026/05/31 | Published: 2026/05/31
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