Immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation for the treatment of type 1 diabetes

Autoimmune insulitis is the main pathological characteristic of type 1 diabetes. Immunotherapies can effectively prevent and/or extenuate autoimmune insulitis by modulating different effectors in the autoimmune response. Stem cells can be induced into insulin-secreting cells, also they can regulate immune function. Here reviews the recent studies on immunotherapies and stem cell transplantation for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Key words: Type 1 diabetes mellitus;  Immunotherapy;  Stem cell transplantation