Extrahepatic transplantation of 3D cultured stem cell-derived islet organoids on microporous scaffolds

Stem cell differentiation methods have been developed to produce cells capable of insulin secretion which are showing promise in clinical trials for treatment of type-1 diabetes. Nevertheless, opportunities remain to improve cell maturation and function. Three-dimensional (3D) culture has demonstrated improved differentiation and metabolic function in organoid systems, with biomaterial scaffolds employed to direct cell assembly and facilitate cell-cell contacts. Herein, we investigate 3D culture of human stem cell-derived islet organoids, with 3D culture initiated at the pancreatic progenitor, endocrine progenitor, or immature β-cell stage. Clusters formed by reaggregation of immature β-cells could be readily seeded into the microporous poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffold, with control over cell number. Culture of islet organoids on scaffolds at the early to mid-stage beta cell progenitors had improved in vitro glucose stimulated insulin secretion relative to organoids formed at the pancreatic progenitor stage. Reaggregated islet organoids were transplanted into the peritoneal fat of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, which resulted in reduced blood glucose levels and the presence of systemic human C-peptide. In conclusion, 3D cell culture supports development of islet organoids as indicated by insulin secretion in vitro and supports transplantation to extrahepatic sites that leads to a reduction of hyperglycemia in vivo.