Bioengineering the Endocrine Pancreas: Intraomental Islet Transplantation Within a Biologic Resorbable Scaffold

• DOI: 10.2337/db15-1525
• Publication Date: 2016-02-26T04:34:16Z
• Authors: Dora M. Berman; R. Damaris Molano; Carmen Fotino; Ulisse Ulissi; Jennifer Gimeno; Armando J. Mendez; Norman M. Kenyon; Norma S. Kenyon; David M. Andrews; Camillo Ricordi; Antonello Pileggi
• Keywords: Pancreatic Islets

Transplantation of pancreatic islets is a therapeutic option to preserve or restore β-cell function. Our study was aimed at developing clinically applicable protocol for extrahepatic transplantation islets. The potency implanted onto the omentum, using an in situ–generated adherent, resorbable plasma-thrombin biologic scaffold, evaluated diabetic rat and nonhuman primate (NHP) models. Intraomental islet engraftment scaffold confirmed by achievement improved metabolic function preservation cytoarchitecture, with reconstitution rich intrainsular vascular networks both species. Long-term nonfasting normoglycemia adequate glucose clearance (tolerance tests) were achieved intrahepatic intraomental sites rats. graft recipients displayed lower levels serum biomarkers distress (e.g., acute insulin) inflammation leptin α2-macroglobulin). Importantly, low-purity (30:70% endocrine:exocrine) syngeneic preparations equivalent that pure (>95% endocrine) after implantation. Moreover, sustained allogeneic immunosuppressed recipients. Collectively, our feasibility/efficacy data, along simplicity procedure safety components, represented sufficient preclinical testing proceed pilot phase I/II clinical trial.