Intrahepatic islet transplantation is the standard cell therapy for β cell replacement in type 1 diabetes, but limitations include donor shortage and poor engraftment. This study proposes a novel approach using decellularized lung as a scaffold, seeded with neonatal porcine islets and human blood outgrowth endothelial cells, to engineer a xenogeneic vascularized endocrine pancreas (VEP). Ex vivo and in vivo studies demonstrate improved islet maturation and function, with sustained normoglycemia in a preclinical model for over 18 weeks. This technology, combined with advancements in pig genetic engineering, holds promise for creating immune-protected functional endocrine organs.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Feb 16, 2023
Authors
Antonio Citro, Alessia Neroni, Cataldo Pignatelli, Francesco Campo, Martina Policardi, Matteo Monieri, Silvia Pellegrini, Erica Dugnani, Fabio Manenti, Maria Chiara Maffia, Libera Valla, Elisabeth Kemter, Ilaria Marzinotto, Cristina Olgasi, Alessia Cucci, Antonia Follenzi, Vito Lampasona, Eckhard Wolf, Lorenzo Piemonti
Tags
intrahepatic islet transplantation
type 1 diabetes
decellularized lung
neonatal porcine islets
vascularized endocrine pancreas
islet maturation
genetic engineering
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