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Scaffold-supported Transplantation of Islets in the Epididymal Fat Pad of Diabetic Mice
Published on: July 23, 2017
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Extracellular Matrix-Guided Islet Cell Transplantation Results in Improved Glycemic Control in a NOD-SCID Mouse
Ruchama Korol1, Sharona Even-Ram1, Kfir Molakandov2
1Betalin Therapeutics Ltd., Jerusalem, Israel.
Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|November 26, 2025
Summary
Bioengineered micro-pancreata using decellularized lung scaffolds improve glucose control in type 1 diabetes. This stem cell therapy enhances insulin secretion and graft integration, offering a promising new treatment for diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Current insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is insufficient, with most patients failing to meet management targets.
- Stem cell-derived islets show therapeutic potential but require improved extracellular matrix (ECM) support for transplantation.
- Decellularized lung scaffolds offer a promising biomaterial for enhancing islet function and survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop biofunctional endocrine micro-pancreata using decellularized porcine lung scaffolds seeded with embryonic stem cell-derived islets.
- To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of these micro-pancreata in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes.
- To assess insulin secretion, glucose homeostasis, and graft integration following transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Decellularized porcine lung scaffolds were fabricated and characterized.
- Embryonic stem cell-derived islets were seeded onto the scaffolds to create endocrine micro-pancreata.
- Transplantation into NOD-SCID mice was performed subcutaneously or intraperitoneally.
- Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin, and efficacy was monitored for 3 months.
Main Results:
- Endocrine micro-pancreata demonstrated a 1.4-fold increase in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro compared to free islets.
- Transplanted micro-pancreata recipients showed significantly lower blood glucose levels than control groups.
- Subcutaneous transplantation yielded superior results, improving glucose tolerance by 46% compared to 31% for intraperitoneal delivery.
- Histological analysis confirmed successful graft integration, neovascularization (CD31+), and sustained insulin production.
Conclusions:
- Endocrine micro-pancreata represent a scalable platform for diabetes cell therapy.
- The ECM-rich microenvironment supports islet function, vascularization, and glycemic control.
- This approach holds significant potential for clinical translation in type 1 diabetes treatment.
