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To: PrairieLady2

oops, she still has to use anti-rejection drugs.

...

Maybe they can work on making the islet cells from adult stem cells.


22 posted on 03/25/2016 3:15:57 PM PDT by Moonman62 (Make America Great Again!)
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To: Moonman62

Making the islet cells from adult stem cells will not make a difference. In Type I, the body’s immune system is programmed to kill islet cells, so any new cells will be quickly killed unless the immune system is suppressed or a physical barrier at the cellular level is present. There are two possible avenues for a permanent cure:

1. “Reset” the immune system by destroying the bone marrow, then introducing marrow stem cells that are not programmed to attack islet cells.

2. Encapsulate the islet cells in a permeable capsule that allows fluid exchange with the bloodstream without allowing white blood cells to attack the islet cells within.

There has been some progress in both of these approaches, but a cure is still a long way off. Sadly, there are no quick and easy fixes for autoimmune diseases.


31 posted on 03/25/2016 4:28:06 PM PDT by Go_Raiders (Freedom doesn't give you the right to take from others, no matter how innocent your program sounds.)
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