Differentiation of Urine-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Neurons, Astrocytes, and Microvascular Endothelial Cells from a Diabetic Patient

Complications of central nervous system in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often lead to cognitive impairment and seriously affect the quality of life. However, there is no individualized disease model. Urine-derived stem cells can be an ideal source for generating human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and progenitors, as they are easily accessible, noninvasive, and universally available. In our research, we differentiated urine-derived hiPSCs into neuron (N), astrocyte (A), and microvascular endothelial cells (E) from a T2DM patient. Next step, we intend to coculture these three cells together in a 3D system to create a new disease model in vitro, which may simulate the cerebral microenvironment of DM, for future study of its pathogenesis and precision medical treatment.