Comprehensive biocompatibility profiling of human pancreas-derived biomaterial

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Islet Biology

Background:

• The extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for pancreatic islet viability and function.
• Islet isolation procedures disrupt native matrix associations, leading to loss of function.
• Recreating the islet microenvironment is essential for advancing islet transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a decellularized solubilized ECM (dsECM) from human pancreas for islet transplantation.
• To assess the safety and biocompatibility of dsECM for potential therapeutic applications.
• To investigate the potential of dsECM in bio-printed constructs for enhanced vascularization.

Main Methods:

• Developed a detergent-free decellularization method to obtain dsECM powder from human pancreas.
• Incorporated dsECM into alginate-microencapsulated human islets and evaluated insulin secretion.
• Performed in vitro assessments of dsECM cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility, and immunocompatibility.
• Coaxially bioprinted dsECM-based bioinks and evaluated construct biocompatibility and vascularization in vivo.

Main Results:

• The detergent-free method preserved the molecular fingerprint of the native pancreas.
• dsECM incorporation significantly increased insulin secretion from encapsulated islets.
• In vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrated the safety and biocompatibility of dsECM.
• dsECM-based bioinks supported construct viability and showed potential for vascularization.

Conclusions:

• dsECM derived from human pancreas is a promising biomaterial for islet transplantation.
• The developed dsECM enhances islet function and exhibits favorable biocompatibility.
• dsECM holds potential for use in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications.