October 28, 2008 - Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) announced the publication of data showing the successful engraftment of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived pancreatic islet-like clusters (ILCs) in diabetic mice. After transplantation, the ILCs continued to express important pancreatic islet proteins, responded to high levels of glucose in the blood, and extended the survival of recipient animals. Pancreatic islet cells normally secrete insulin in response to high levels of glucose in the blood to maintain steady levels. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the insulin secreting islet cells are destroyed. Administering insulin is life-saving but does not truly mimic the body's natural response to blood glucose and can result in serious complications such as diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy... Geron Corporation's Press Release -
