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Scaffold-supported Transplantation of Islets in the Epididymal Fat Pad of Diabetic Mice
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A Case for Material Stiffness as a Design Parameter in Encapsulated Islet Transplantation
Courtney D Johnson1,2, Helim Aranda-Espinoza1, John P Fisher1,2
1Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.
Tissue Engineering. Part B, Reviews
|December 8, 2022
Summary
Encapsulated islet transplantation (EIT) offers a promising alternative to insulin injections for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Tailoring capsule material stiffness may improve EIT efficacy by modulating the foreign body response.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) affects millions globally, with increasing incidence.
- Current treatments like insulin injections are costly and burdensome.
- Encapsulated islet transplantation (EIT) is a tissue-engineered approach to restore glucose regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for improving the clinical viability of EIT.
- To explore the role of mechanobiology, specifically substrate stiffness, in modulating the foreign body response (FBR) to EIT.
- To argue for substrate stiffness as a key design parameter for enhancing EIT efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on T1DM, EIT, and the immune response.
- Analysis of mechanobiology studies on leukocyte and macrophage function.
- Exploration of biochemical and material science approaches in EIT.
Main Results:
- EIT shows promise but faces challenges with immune rejection and the need for immunosuppression.
- Substrate stiffness influences leukocyte behavior, including macrophages, which orchestrate the FBR.
- Biochemical modifications alone have limitations in promoting long-term EIT success.
Conclusions:
- Modulating the FBR through material properties like stiffness is a critical, underutilized strategy for EIT.
- Designing EIT capsules with optimized substrate stiffness could enhance therapeutic efficacy and clinical translation.
- Further research integrating mechanobiology into EIT design is warranted.
