Stem-cell-derived beta cells mature metabolically upon murine engraftment – Published online 02/07/2025

Eliisa Vähäkangas, Jonna Saarimäki-Vire, Hossam Montaser, Väinö Lithovius, Solja Eurola, Hazem Ibrahim, Emilia Kuuluvainen, Diego Balboa, Pekka Katajisto, Tom Barsby, Timo Otonkoski

Stem-cell-derived islets (SC-islets) show great promise as a renewable source of cells for the treatment of diabetes. However, in vitro SC-islets differ metabolically from human donor islets, notably having high insulin secretion responsiveness to pyruvate, a feature that could lead to exercise-induced hypoglycaemia after transplantation. In this issue, Vähäkangas et al (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-025-06474-8) report significant metabolic maturation of SC-islets upon murine engraftment, including lowered pyruvate-stimulated insulin secretion. The authors conclude that these metabolic findings are reassuring and relevant to the safety and efficacy of ongoing SC-islet implantation clinical trials.

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