Preclinical study for the treatment of diabetes mellitus using β-like cells derived from human dental pulp stem cells

Aim: The current study assessed whether insulin-producing cells obtained from dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) can be a new therapeutic approach in a rat model of diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials & methods: Stem cells were differentiated into pancreatic beta cells under hydrogen sulfide exposure via 2D and 3D methods. Each beta-like cell was immunostained and transplanted into DM rats, after which the in vivo therapeutic effect was determined. Results: Immunostaining revealed the expression of various beta-cell markers in each beta-like cell differentiated using the 3D method. DPSC-derived beta-like cell differentiated via the 3D method promoted a sufficient therapeutic effect. Conclusion: The 3D method promoted islet differentiation, indicating that DPSC-derived beta-like cell transplantation could be a new approach for DM treatment.