ABSTRACT
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease associated with B cell derived antibodies and T cell proliferative responses to a variety of islet cell peptides. Near normalization of blood sugar levels as monitored by glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbAlC) diminishes diabetic secondary complications. Insulin, while prolonging life, is not a cure and intensive insulin therapy to control blood sugar is not always practical, especially in lower economic classes or developing countries. Even in developed countries, serious sequela and mortality still occur. 1-5 In America, diabetes remains the most common cause of blindness and renal failure, and the sixth leading cause of death. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in early onset diabetes, and in established diabetes when combined with either pancreas or islet cell transplantation, offers hope of curing diabetes by reintroduction of islet cell tolerance.
