Insulin is produced and secreted by pancreatic β cells in the pancreas, which plays a key role in maintaining euglycemia. Insufficient secretion or deficient usage of insulin is the main cause of diabetes mellitus (DM). Drug therapy and islets transplantation are classical treatments for DM. Pancreatic β cell replacement therapy could help patients to get rid of drugs and alleviate the problem of lacking in transplantable donors. Pancreatic β-like cells can be acquired by cell reprogramming techniques or directed induction of stem cell differentiation. These cells are proved to be functional both in vitro and in vivo. Some hospitals have already performed clinical trials for pancreatic β cell replacement therapy. Functional pancreatic β-like cells, which obtained from in vitro pathway, could be a reliable source of cell therapy for treating DM. In this review, the approaches of obtaining pancreatic β cells are summarized and the remaining problems are discussed. Some thoughts are provided for further acquisition and application of pancreatic β cells.
Cell Differentiation ; Diabetes Mellitus/therapy* ; Humans ; Insulin/metabolism* ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/metabolism* ; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation ; Pancreas/metabolism*

To explore the possible new mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) based on the islet inflammatory response. Islet macrophages, pancreatic adipose cells and islet β cells all participate in the pathogenesis of T2DM, and the three could form a network interaction. Acupuncture could regulate the functional phenotype of islet macrophages, improve the ectopic deposition of pancreatic adipose and repair the function of islet β cells, and play a unique advantage of overall regulation. It is suggested that acupuncture can be a potential treatment strategy for T2DM.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy* ; Humans ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/pathology* ; Islets of Langerhans/pathology* ; Macrophages

Langerhans cell sarcoma is a rare, proliferative tumor of Langerhans cells, which shows cytologic characteristics and clinical features of malignant tumor. Langerhans cell sarcoma primarily occurs in lymph nodes, skin, lung, liver, and spleen. However, very few cases have been reported in the head and neck region. Because of its rarity, an optimal treatment approach is unknown; however, Langerhans cell sarcoma grows aggressively and shows a poor prognosis, such that a more aggressive and multi-modality treatment approach is necessary. Here, we report the case of a 36-year-old male with Langerhans cell sarcoma, who presented with a mass in the submandibular gland area and was treated with wide excision and postoperative radiotherapy.
Adult ; Head ; Humans ; Langerhans Cell Sarcoma ; Langerhans Cells ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Neck ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Sarcoma ; Skin ; Spleen ; Submandibular Gland

BACKGROUND: Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is a major enzyme responsible for the formation of methylarginine in mammalian cells. Recent studies have revealed that PRMT1 plays important roles in the development of various tissues. However, its role in pancreas development has not yet been elucidated. METHODS: Pancreatic progenitor cell-specific Prmt1 knock-out (Prmt1 PKO) mice were generated and characterized for their metabolic and histological phenotypes and their levels of Neurog3 gene expression and neurogenin 3 (NGN3) protein expression. Protein degradation assays were performed in mPAC cells. RESULTS: Prmt1 PKO mice showed growth retardation and a severely diabetic phenotype. The pancreatic size and β-cell mass were significantly reduced in Prmt1 PKO mice. Proliferation of progenitor cells during the secondary transition was decreased and endocrine cell differentiation was impaired. These defects in pancreas development could be attributed to the sustained expression of NGN3 in progenitor cells. Protein degradation assays in mPAC cells revealed that PRMT1 was required for the rapid degradation of NGN3. CONCLUSION: PRMT1 critically contributes to pancreas development by destabilizing the NGN3 protein.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endocrine Cells ; Gene Expression ; Islets of Langerhans ; Mice ; Pancreas ; Phenotype ; Protein Stability ; Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases ; Proteolysis ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a very serious health problem, usually caused by a trauma and accompanied by elevated levels of inflammation indicators. Stem cell-based therapy is promising some valuable strategies for its functional recovery. Nestin-positive progenitor and/or stem cells (SC) isolated from pancreatic islets (PI) show mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics. For this reason, we aimed to analyze the effects of rat pancreatic islet derived stem cell (rPI-SC) delivery on functional recovery, as well as the levels of inflammation factors following SCI.METHODS: rPI-SCs were isolated, cultured and their MSC characteristics were determined through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis. The experimental rat population was divided into three groups : 1) laminectomy & trauma, 2) laminectomy & trauma & phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and 3) laminectomy+trauma+SCs. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labelled rPI-SCs were transplanted into the injured rat spinal cord. Their motilities were evaluated with Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) Score. After 4-weeks, spinal cord sections were analyzed for GFP labeled SCs and stained for vimentin, S100β, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 2’,3’-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proinflammatory (interleukin [IL]-6, transforming growth factor [TGF]-β, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-2, myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1 receptor antagonis) factors.RESULTS: rPI-SCs were revealed to display MSC characteristics and express neural and glial cell markers including BDNF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), fibronectin, microtubule associated protein-2a,b (MAP2a,b), β3-tubulin and nestin as well as antiinflammatory prostaglandin E2 receptor, EP3. The BBB scores showed significant motor recovery in group 3. GFP-labelled cells were localized on the injury site. In addition, decreased proinflammatory factor levels and increased intensity of anti-inflammatory factors were determined.CONCLUSION: Transplantation of PI-SCs might be an effective strategy to improve functional recovery following spinal cord trauma.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Dinoprostone ; Fibronectins ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Inflammation ; Islets of Langerhans ; Laminectomy ; Macrophages ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Microtubules ; Nestin ; Neuroglia ; Peroxidase ; Rats ; Regeneration ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vimentin ; Wounds and Injuries

Currently, the World Health Organization classifies Langerhans cell tumors into Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS). LCS is a neoplastic proliferation of Langerhans cells showing malignant cytological features and aggressive clinical behavior with grave prognosis. Only a few cases have been reported in the available literature; therefore, to date, no definitive treatment has been established. A 64-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of an asymptomatic, slow-growing erythematous nodule measuring 0.7 cm on her scalp. The patient also reported a 3-month history of a painful swelling on the right side of her neck. Histopathological examination of a scalp biopsy specimen revealed sheets of atypical cells with hyperchromatic nucleoli and clear cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical studies revealed malignant cells positive for CD1a, CD31, CD68, and S-100 expression. Additionally, positron emission tomography–computed tomography and fine-needle aspiration revealed LCS of the cervical lymph nodes and surrounding soft tissue. We recommended surgical excision and adjunctive chemotherapy; however, the patient refused treatment and died of the disease 28 months later.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Cytoplasm ; Drug Therapy ; Electrons ; Female ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Humans ; Langerhans Cell Sarcoma ; Langerhans Cells ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Parotid Gland ; Prognosis ; Scalp ; World Health Organization

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder characterized by the proliferation of dendritic cells resulting in local or systemic symptoms. The clinical symptoms of patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis depend on the site and the degree of involvement. This article describes two case histories of unifocal bony Langerhans cell histiocytosis with mandibular involvement and further discusses the appropriate management of such via a review of the literature.
Dendritic Cells ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Humans ; Mandible

Indeterminate dendritic cell tumor (IDCT) is a dendritic cell tumor that displays histologic features similar to those of Langerhans cells. The origin of the indeterminate cells may represent precursors of Langerhans cells or skin dendritic cells. IDCT is extremely rare, and tumor progression and predictive factors are not well known. Here, we report a case of a 61-year-old man who presented with a papule on his back and was finally diagnosed with IDCT based on histology and immunohistochemistry. The tumor recurred three months after surgical excision.
Dendritic Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Langerhans Cells ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Skin

Background: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is an interstitial primary pulmonary disease, characterized by Langerhans cell proliferation. It is easily misdiagnosed in children. This study aimed to characterize the clinical manifestations and features of PLCH by retrospective analysis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 117 PLCH patients out of 338 LCH patients who were admitted in our center from November 2006 to October 2013. Variables between two groups were compared by Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare the survival rates and Cox regression to evaluate the effect of risk factors. Results: The median age of PLCH group was significantly lower than that of non-PLCH group (18.63 months vs. 43.4 months, P < 0.001). All PLCH children had other organ involvement and only 11 cases (9.4%) had respiratory symptoms. The most common radiologic finding was cystic lesions (29 cases, 24.8%). Pulmonary function abnormalities were dominated by obstructive ventilatory dysfunction (63 cases, 82.9%). The 5-year overall survival (OS) of PLCH children was 93.6% ± 2.3% and the event-free survival (EFS) was 55.7% ± 5.2%. Among the 38 cases with progressed or relapsed disease, five cases (13.2%) were due to progression or recurrence of lung damage. The 5-year OS of PLCH children with "risk organ" involvement was significantly lower than those without "risk organ" involvement (86.0% ± 4.9% vs. 100%, χ = 8.793, P = 0.003). The difference of EFS between two groups was also significant (43.7% ± 7.7% vs. 66.3% ± 6.5%, χ = 5.399, P = 0.020). The "risk organ" involvement had a significant impact on survival (hazard ratio = 1.9, P = 0.039). Conclusions PLCH mainly occurs in young children, and only a small percentage of patients have respiratory symptoms. They generally have other organ involvement. Most of PLCH children have a good prognosis and most lung lesions could have improved or stabilized. Management of "risk organ" involvement is the key point to improving EFS.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant ; Langerhans Cells ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Lung Diseases ; etiology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activator gamma (PPARγ) is a useful therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes, but its role in protecting β-cell function and viability is unclear. METHODS: To identify the potential functions of PPARγ in β-cells, we treated mouse insulinoma 6 (MIN6) cells with the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone in conditions of lipotoxicity, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and inflammation. RESULTS: Palmitate-treated cells incubated with pioglitazone exhibited significant improvements in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and the repression of apoptosis, as shown by decreased caspase-3 cleavage and poly (adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) polymerase activity. Pioglitazone also reversed the palmitate-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6 [IL-6], and IL-1β) and ER stress markers (phosphor-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α, glucose-regulated protein 78 [GRP78], cleaved-activating transcription factor 6 [ATF6], and C/EBP homologous protein [CHOP]), and pioglitazone significantly attenuated inflammation and ER stress in lipopolysaccharide- or tunicamycin-treated MIN6 cells. The protective effect of pioglitazone was also tested in pancreatic islets from high-fat-fed KK-Ay mice administered 0.02% (wt/wt) pioglitazone or vehicle for 6 weeks. Pioglitazone remarkably reduced the expression of ATF6α, GRP78, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, prevented α-cell infiltration into the pancreatic islets, and upregulated glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) expression in β-cells. Moreover, the preservation of β-cells by pioglitazone was accompanied by a significant reduction of blood glucose levels. CONCLUSION: Altogether, these results support the proposal that PPARγ agonists not only suppress insulin resistance, but also prevent β-cell impairment via protection against ER stress and inflammation. The activation of PPARγ might be a new therapeutic approach for improving β-cell survival and insulin secretion in patients with diabetes mellitus
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blood Glucose ; Caspase 3 ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Cytokines ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum* ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; Insulinoma ; Interleukin-6 ; Islets of Langerhans ; Mice ; Necrosis ; Obesity ; Peptide Initiation Factors ; Peroxisomes ; Repression, Psychology ; Transcription Factors