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Scaffold-supported Transplantation of Islets in the Epididymal Fat Pad of Diabetic Mice
Published on: July 23, 2017
Macroporous three-dimensional PDMS scaffolds for extrahepatic islet transplantation
Eileen Pedraza1, Ann-Christina Brady, Christopher A Fraker
1Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Cell Transplantation
|October 4, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed new poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) scaffolds for islet transplantation. These scaffolds improve islet retention and function, offering a promising alternative site for type 1 diabetes treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Clinical islet transplantation is effective for type 1 diabetes but faces limitations with current intrahepatic sites.
- Mechanical stress and inflammation at the intrahepatic portal vein site hinder long-term islet graft survival.
- Alternative extrahepatic transplantation sites require supportive scaffolds for mechanical protection and islet confinement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and evaluate biostable, macroporous poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) scaffolds for pancreatic islet transplantation.
- To assess islet retention, distribution, viability, and function within PDMS scaffolds.
- To investigate the in vivo efficacy of PDMS scaffolds for extrahepatic islet transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of macroporous PDMS scaffolds.
- In vitro testing of rodent, nonhuman primate, and human islets within scaffolds, including assessment of retention, distribution, viability, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
- In vivo transplantation of scaffold-loaded islets into the omental pouch of diabetic rats.
Main Results:
- PDMS scaffolds demonstrated high islet retention and distribution, with fibrin gel enhancing retention of smaller islets.
- Islets within scaffolds maintained viability and function comparable to standard culture, with improved viability under low oxygen tensions.
- Transplantation of scaffold-loaded islets into diabetic rats resulted in prompt achievement of normoglycemia.
Conclusions:
- PDMS scaffolds provide a viable, biostable vehicle for pancreatic islet transplantation into extrahepatic sites.
- These scaffolds support islet function and vascularization, offering a promising strategy for type 1 diabetes management.
- The developed scaffolds facilitate spatial distribution and mechanical support for islets, enabling successful transplantation in a preclinical model.
