Long Term Benefit of Autologous Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation without Immunosuppression in Chronic Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Alejandro Mesples^1*, Yun Zhang², Xiang Hu²

¹Diabetes Education and Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
²Shenzhen Beike Cell Engineering Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.

DOI: 10.4236/scd.2020.101001                

Abstract

Background:Autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation without immune suppression has been proposed as a safe and efficient therapeutic option to replace β-cell mass destroyed by specific antibodies in chronic type 1 diabetes but we have not scientific information about how long the metabolic stability is maintained. Material and Method: From 2010 to 2014, were included 134 chronic type 1 diabetics patients (p.) in an autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation protocol, stimulated with filgrastim, without immune suppression, c peptide < 0.5 ng/ml and pancreatic antibodies negatives, without diabetes complications. 65 Female and 69 Male patients, with 36 + 20 years old and insulin-dependent were treated. Follow up variables, c peptide, A1C, pancreatic islets and GAD antibodies and insulin dose at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months were performed. Results:C peptide, 6 months after transplantation more than 0.9 ng/ml in 61 patients (45%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 12 months 50 patients (37%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 24 months 53 patients (39%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 36 months 51 patients (38%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). A1C before transplant, <7% was observed in 25 p. (18%). At 6 months 68 p. (50%), 12 months 90 p. (67%), 24 months 92 p. (68%), at 36 months in 85 p. (63%) Patients without Insulin dose, at 6 months 61 p. (45%), 12 months 60 p. (44%), 24 months 58 p. (43%), at 36 months in 53 p. (39%). No evidence of new pancreatic antibodies or adverse events. Conclusion:Autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation, without immunosuppression, improves pancreatic function and metabolic control without new immune reaction after three years of follow up in chronic type 1 diabetic patients.

Keywords

Type 1 Diabetes, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Bone Marrow Stem Cells

1. Introduction

In type 1 diabetes, significant destruction of b-cells by specific antibodies occurs prior to diagnosis. At the time of clinical onset, only 10% of normal b-cell mass remains [1]. Several studies show that C-peptide measurement is the best way to observe endogenous pancreatic function. A prospective study found that 2 years after diagnosis, insulin and C-peptide levels decreased to nearly 30% of baseline [2] [3]. Studies show that patients with advanced disease have some residual b-cell function, depending on individual variables [4] [5] [6] [7]. Low or vanished C-peptide levels are indicative of advancing disease after a diagnosis, and undetectable C-peptide is usually observed after 1 year of disease duration. Recent studies have been trying to replace the functional mass of pancreatic islets destroyed by the autoimmune attack in type 1 diabetes [8] [9] [10] [11]. Pancreas and pancreatic islets transplantations are two alternatives under consideration [12] [13]. However, the low availability of donors, the technical complexity, immune suppression after transplantation and the uncertain treatment results are the most important complications. Several studies have described the regenerative capacity of stem cells, which can repair the cellular injury in all tissues. The mechanisms of stem cell migration, adhesion and differentiation mediated by local chemokines were reported in several publications [14] and the capacity of these adult stem cells to differentiate into cells of such cardiomyocyte, hepatocytes and renal cells [15] [16] [17] [18].

We have many backgrounds describing the differentiation of stem cells in pancreatic β cells and mechanisms for the regenerative repair of B cells. Early studies indicated that adult pancreatic endocrine cells can be regenerated by the automatic duplication of differentiated cells [19]. Immunohistochemical observations also suggest an origin of stem cells for islet cells, including β4 cells expressing insulin. Other authors demonstrated that adult pancreatic stem or progenitor cells reside in the epithelium of the pancreatic ducts, [20] within the islets or in the bone marrow [14]. Others have suggested that β cells are formed by transdifferentiation of pancreatic acinar cells. In addition to explaining the formation of new β cells within the existing islets, it has also been suggested that new complete islets are formed (neogenesis) by grouping the new β cells from stem cells [21] [22].

The use of adult stem cells in myocardial infarction showed a significant improvement in ventricular function [23] [24] [25] [26] [27]. Stem cell transplants in blood malignancies such as leukemias demonstrated safety and efficacy [28] [29]. Similarly in osteoarthritis [30] [31] and peripheral vascular disease [32] [33] [34] [35] using bone marrow stem cells showed significant benefit security and to suppress pain and improve functional capacity. In type 1 diabetes recent diagnosis reported significant increases in C-peptide after transplantation of allogeneic adult stem cells with immune suppression [36] [37] [38].

Our workgroup began its experience in 2005, with a first clinical trial on autologous bone marrow transplantation stimulated with filgrastim in chronic diabetic patients, who underwent infusion of the bone marrow by selective catheterization of the pancreatic artery [39]. In this first trial, we included 20 patients with a follow-up of 36 months [40]. In 2010 we modified the technique achieving a significant increase in the extracted volume, we improved the numbers of cells recovered from the bone marrow and made the transplant by endovenous systemic infusion. The results obtained in the 134 patients included and their evolution to three years will be reviewed in this article.

2. Methods

2.1. Subject Recruitment

With the authorization and control of Institutional Review Board and the approval as compassionate use, a prospective non-randomized phase II clinical trial was designed. We enrolled 134 subjects who met the inclusion criteria for treatment from October 2010 to November 2014. Eligible subjects were: age between 16 and 56 years, undetectable C-peptide level, and chronic type 1 diabetes mellitus for more than 5 years, with negative results of islet cell antibody (ICA) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody. All enrolled subjects had antecedents of positive results of ICA and GAD antibody. Exclusion criteria: body-mass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) > 28, inadequate renal reserve (serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl, creatinine clearance < 80 ml per minute per 1.73 m² of body-surface area, or albumin level > 300 mg per 24 hour period). Enrolled subjects and their families signed the informed consent.

2.2. Bone Marrow Cell Preparation and Transplantation

134 enrolled subjects underwent bone marrow stimulation with 5 - 10 mg/kg/day of filgrastim (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, G-CSF) through subcutaneous injections for four consecutive days. On the 5th day, bone marrow extraction was performed by needle puncture on the anterior iliac crest of the hip with local anesthesia with lidocaine 2%. Then, 300 ml of bone marrow was aspirated and mixed with sodium heparin (1000 UI/40ml). No in vitro expansion procedure or cell culture was performed. 5 - 10 ml of the sample was used for CD34+ cell counting with flow cytometry. The number and types of bone marrow cells were also identified as CMN > 1 × 120 and CD34+ > 0.37 × 10.6/kg. The bone marrow cells were injected by a vein of the arm. No immune suppression regimen was processed at pre and post treatment.

2.3. Study Definitions and Measurements

Major adverse events were considered as death, bone marrow puncture complications, hematoma requiring surgery or blood transfusion, pulmonary embolism, acute pancreatitis, emergency abdominal surgery, absence of metabolic stability with major hypoglycaemia, increased measurement results of the ICA and GAD antibody post-transplantation, lymphoproliferative disease, cancer and infections. The primary study endpoint was defined as normalization of C-peptide and HbA1c with insulin independence at 3 years post-treatment. The C-peptide level in peripheral blood was measured with chemistry electroluminescence after 12-hour fasting. The plasmatic levels of 0.9 - 4.4 ng/ml were considered as the normal range with an analytical sensitivity of 0.005 - 0.040 ng/ml. The HbA1c level was measured by the method of immuno-latex agglutination on particles with the standard values of 4.2% - 6.2%. The measurement of pancreatic ICA was performed using the ELISA technique. GAD antibodies were identified by radio immuno analysis with the normal value < 1 U/ml (negative). Reference for these cut-off values was our previous work [39] [40].

2.4. Follow-Up

The subjects were phoned every 48 hours in the first week after the cell implantation. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline (pre-treatment) and months 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 post-treatment, including the measurements of C-peptide, HbA1c, daily insulin dose, ICA, GAD antibody.

2.5. Statistical Analysis

Testing was standardized for each sample or examination. Data were presented as means ± standard deviations (±s). Changes of C-peptide and insulin doses between pre- and post-treatment were assessed using paired Wilcoxon signed ranks test and “<0.05” was considered the minimum value of “0.05”. Variables between pre and post-treatments of HbA1c were assessed using paired T-test. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 12.0 statistical package. All statistical tests were two-sided and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The proportion was expected to reach the primary endpoint by 70% with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%.

3. Results

3.1. Clinical Features

There were 64 Female and 70 Male patients, the average age of the patients was 36 ± 20 years. Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes for 13.9 years on average (2 - 37 years). Body mass index (median) of 28 kg/m², normal complete blood count, coagulation and renal function, no lesions in target organs. After bone marrow stimulation, the average proportion of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood, was 0.07% (0.03% - 0.22%). Controls of variables were performed at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after the procedure. All patients signed informed consent.

3.2. Adverse Events

Forty-eight subjects displayed bone pain immediately after the cell transplantation, which was secondary to bone marrow stimulation. Twenty-two subjects had nausea and twenty-five subjects showed bruising at the site of bone puncture for bone marrow extraction. All these adverse effects were tolerable and relieved in a short time. There were no reports of death, post-transplantation lymphoproliferative diseases, tumors or infections.

3.3. C-Peptide

The patients were divided into three groups according to the increase of the peptide c. Less than 0.5 ng/ml was observed in 134 patients (100%). Patients with c peptide values between 0.5 and 0.9 ng/ml and more than 0.9 ng/ml were not recruited. It was observed 6 months after transplantation in the group of less than 0.5 ng/ml at 38 p. (29%), in the group between 0.5 and 0.9 ng/ml at 35 p. (26%) and in the group of more than 0.9 ng/ml to 61 patients (45%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 12 months of follow-up in the group of less than 0.5 ng/ml at 34 p. (25%), between 0.5 and 0.9 ng/ml at 50 p. (37%) and in the group of more than 0.9 ng/ml to 50 patients (37%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 24 months in the group of less than 0.5 ng/ml at 34 p. (25%), between 0.5 and 0.9 ng/ml at 66 p. (49%) and more than 0.9 ng/ml to 53 patients (39%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 36 months in the group of less than 0.5 ng/ml at 48 p. (36%), between 0.5 and 0.9 ng/ml at 35 p. (26%) and more than 0.9 ng/ml to 51 patients (38%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%) (Figure 1).

3.4. Daily Insulin Dose

The patients were divided into four groups according to the post-transplant evolution of the daily insulin dose. Before treatment, in the group of less than 30 units at 54 p. (40%), in the group between 30 and 40 to 53 p. (39%) and in the group of more than 40 to 28 patients (21%), no patients were recruited who did not use insulin daily. It was observed 6 months after transplantation in the group of less than 30 units at 13 p. (10%), in the group between 30 and 40 units at 55 p. (41%) and in the group of more than 40 units to 5 patients (4%), 61 patients did not use insulin (45%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 12 months of follow-up in the group of less than 30 units at 13 p. (10%), between 30 and 40 units at 58 p. (43%) and in the group of more than 40 units to 3 patients (2%), 60 patients did not

Figure 1. C Peptide Control-134 patients treated-36 month follow up.

use insulin (45%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 24 months in the group of less than 30 units at 15 p. (11%), between 30 and 40 units at 57 p. (42%) and more than 40 units to 4 patients (3%), 58 patients did not use insulin (43%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 36 months in the group of less than 30 units at 19 p. (14%), between 30 and 40 units at 58 p. (43%) and more than 40 units in 4 patients (3%), 53 patients did not use insulin (39%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%) (Figure 2).

3.5. Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)

Similarly, patients were divided into three groups according to the last control of glycosylated hemoglobin A1C. Less than 7% was observed in 25 patients (18%). Between 7 and 9% in 88 p. (65%) and more than 9% in 21 p. (15%). It was observed 6 months after the transplant in the group of less than 7% at 68 p. (50%), in the group between 7 and 9% at 63 p. (47%) and in the group of more than 9% to 3 patients (2%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 12 months of follow-up in the group of less than 7% at 90 p. (67%), between 7 and 9% at 41 p (30%). and in the group of more than 9% to 3 patients (2%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%). At 24 months in the group of less than 7% to 92 p. (68%), between 7 and 9% to 39 p. (29%) and more than 9% to 3 patients (2%). At 36 months in the group of less than 7% at 85 p. (63%), between 7 and 9% at 48 p. (36%) and more than 9% to 1 patient (0.7%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%) (Figure 3).

3.6. Blood Glucose

The patients were divided into three groups according to the usual control of fasting blood glucose in the last three months. Less than 150 mg/ml was observed in 36 patients (26%). Between 150 and 250 in 68 p. (50%) and more than

Figure 2. Insulin Units Daly Control-134 patients treated-36 month follow up.

Figure 3. A1C Control-134 patients treated-36 month follow up.

250 in 30 p. (22%) It was observed at 6 months post-transplant in the group of less than 150 mg/ml at 60 p. (44%), in the group between 150 and 250 to 67 p. (50%) and in the group of more than 250 mg/ml to 7 patients (5%). At 12 months of follow-up in the group of less than 150 mg/ml at 82 p. (61%), between 150 and 250 to 40 p. (30%) and in the group of more than 250 mg/ml to 12 patients (9%). At 24 months in the group of less than 150 mg/ml at 67 p. (50%), between 150 and 250 to 48 p. (36%) and more than 250 mg/ml to 19 patients (14%). At 36 months in the group of less than 150 mg/ml at 67 p. 50, between 150 and 250 to 48 p. 36 and more than 250 mg/ml to 19 patients (14%) (P = 0.001, CI = 95%) (Figure 4).

3.7. Sensitization

All enrolled subjects had antecedents of positive results of ICA and GAD antibody when diagnosed and negative results when enrolled in this study. Negative results of ICA and GAD antibody were detected during the follow-up at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months.

4. Discussion

Diabetes, recently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, is a risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity. To short and long term, is an important problem for global public health [41] [42] [43]. It is known that about 30 million people in the United States have diabetes and approximately 86 million have pre-diabetes. One out of every three dollars of the health system is spent on diabetes with a total cost in the US of 322 billion dollars per year. However, the situation will not improve in the next few years; even will be worse according to American Diabetes Association estimates.

Recently, several scientific publications demonstrated that intensive therapy for type 1 diabetes delayed the development of microvascular and neuropathic complications. This work is published that shows that thirty years of excellent against poor glycemic control reduced the incidence of retinopathy requiring laser therapy (5% vs. 45%), clinical neuropathy (15% vs. 50%) and death (6% vs. 20%). But no significant change in end-stage renal disease (0% vs. 5%), myocardial infarction (3% vs. 5%) and stroke (0.4% vs. 2%). Based on these reports we

Figure 4. Glycemic Control-134 patients treated-36 month follow up.

can say that the use of insulin in a strict way does not solve the patient’s long-term problem [44]. Even a 30-year cost-effectiveness analysis shows that strict insulin therapy and intensive control in type 1 diabetes is not cost-effective [45].

We believe that biological treatments can help control glycemia, such as the use of stem cells and their bioproducts, and they are a valid alternative. We believe that the only option with scientific support is the transplantation of bone marrow stem cells. The results demonstrated that the bone marrow stem cells transplant, stimulated with filgrastim without immunospupression, by venous infusion is safe and easy to perform. No severe adverse events have been reported. The endocrine function of pancreas was reactivated after bone marrow cell transplantation as shown by the increased level of C-peptide in 94 patients (71%) at 6 months of follow up, demonstrating that the secretion of pancreatic insulin was reassumed. The decreased daily insulin dose and HbA1c level indicated that metabolic control was reestablished. During follow-ups, the studied population showed a significant increase in c peptide, in which 50% responders subjects showed a normalization in plasma levels. This clinical improvement was evident with episodes of hypoglycemia but never severe. We also consider significant the fact that patients obtain sustained metabolic control and stabilization of their parameters and do not present episodes of hyperglycemia.

The results evidenced a beneficial effect of the bone marrow cell implantation on subjects with chronic type 1 diabetes, which was more evident in those patients who used low doses of insulin before transplantation. This makes us think that the pancreas still had a residual function and that the bone marrow cells managed to reactivate. The mechanisms of action of the stem cells were extensively described in vitro. The reactivation of quiescent pancreatic stem cells and migration, aggregation and differentiation of stem cells of the medial bone can be mediated by transplanted stem cells, growth factors, cytokines and chemokines produced by these cells. The pancreatic stem cells and transplanted bone marrow stem cells might be recruited through the mediation of the pancreatic cytokines and ultimately initiated cell regeneration by differentiation.

We could think that the patients who evolved favorably after the transplant had a high level of chemokines in the pancreatic area, regardless of the time of evolution of the disease, and that this could be a variable of success of the treatment.

This hypothesis is based on the work of Lanus et al. [14] that obtained stem cells from male mice expressing the CRE-LoxO system with green fluorescent protein and were injected into the female mice, which were lethally irradiated to stop secreting insulin. After 4 to 6 weeks, islets of Langerhans with Y chromosome marked with fluorescein were observed in the pancreas of the female mice. This experiment was the first one to describe the cellular migration and its differentiation without evidence of cellular fusion.

In our initial experience 15 years ago [39] [40]. we performed a bone marrow stimulation with filgrastim with low doses, and we extracted an average volume of 120 ml of bone marrow by puncture, in addition we performed the cellular implant by a selective arterial catheterization of the pancreatic artery, without immunosuppression, and we observed an increase in C-peptide at six months after cell transplantation, which remained at a significant level until three years after treatment.

In our current work the bone marrow stimulation is also done with filgrastim but at maximum possible doses, and the bone marrow extraction is performed by multiple hip punctures to reach a volume of 300 ml and we do the transplant by a systemic venous infusion, also without using immune suppression. The results in terms of peptide elevation c resulted superior with our new technique, patients normalized glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting daily glucose controls, decreasing and even leaving the daily dose of insulin. It is also interesting to comment on the persistence over time of the results that three years after transplantation are still significant. The majority of patients continue with elevated c-peptide and glycosylated hemoglobin at normal values. Our experience increasing the volume of bone marrow infused was positive and improved the results in a large number of patients.

Our experience is one of the largest presented and matches the results published by several authors in the form of three meta-analyzes that analyzed more than 1500 patients and dozens of scientific studies where different cell types were used, in different types of diabetes, and whose conclusions was very important in showing a clear benefit and safety [46] [47] [48].

In addition, the technique of systemic venous transplantation in this study evidenced that the infused cells manage to reach the pancreas and obtain significant clinical modifications. Although bone marrow implantation by catheterization could generate a high number of bone marrow stem cells in the affected area, our comparative results between both techniques would not be conclusive in favor of the selective endovascular implant. It can also be considerable that the transplantation of cells through a systemic intravenous injection can achieve a high and effective number of cells in the affected tissues, and consequently there are obvious clinical results. We think that the alternative of endovenous systemic infusion of the bone marrow implies a greater accessibility of the treatment, a lower requirement of technology and potential vascular access complications. Our results are in contrast to those of a study that showed that 70% of the stem cells released in the venous circulation were stopped in the lung and only a small amount of cells reached the heart, kidneys and liver [49]. We consider then that the pulmonary filter, although it is anatomically and histologically evident, is not from the clinical point of view. We believe that others bone marrow cells can work as regeneratives and not only stem cells are important in this repair. A percentage of subjects showed a metabolic degradation during the three-year follow-up, with decreases in the levels obtained after transplantation of C-peptide and required a new increase in exogenous insulin dose after three years after treatment. This indicated the destruction of new pancreatic β cells, but the mechanism of cell damage has not been clarified. We can say that this clinical evolution could not be justified with a new autoimmune antibody attack, since the ICA and GAD antibodies were always negative during the three-year follow-up. We could conjecture the origin of the descent of the c peptide post transplant with a mechanism of cellular apoptosis related to the inverse relationship between the new cell growth and the low vascularization of the pancreatic tissue. Perhaps the use of specifically angiogenic cells helps to improve graft survival and that support the hypotesis about the importance of other cells into bone marrow, grow factors and relations between them.

5. Conclusion

This study demonstrates that autologous bone marrow cell transplantation, without immune suppression, is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for patients with chronic type 1 diabetes. The results of the three years of follow-up demonstrated safety since no adverse events were observed, and also showed the restoration of pancreatic function with a significant increase in C-peptide and, consequently, a significant decrease in the daily dose of exogenous insulin. This effect partially disappears during the three years of follow-up without an increase in ICA and GAD antibodies. This treatment is an alternative in patients treated with low doses of insulin or with metabolic instability where an evident improvement in the quality of life of patients with type 1 diabetes was observed.

Source of Support

Departmental sources.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

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